Updated: December 15, 2010
GAZA FILM SELECTED TO OSCAR-CERTIFYING FILM FESTIVAL
December 13, 2010
The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival has selected a zero-budget film by the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative, titled Into the Belly of the Whale, for its International Competition for 2011. Over 5000 films were submitted for 2011, about 180 are selected to the festival’s three competitions.
Into the Belly of the Whale is about Younis (Jonha), a Palestinian in Gaza who decides to make his last tunnel run between Gaza and Egypt, to break the Israeli siege, but things take a turn for the worst. While stuck underground, he ponders existential questions.
“We are privileged by this selection, especially coming on the heels of the IDFA selection” said Hazim Bitar, film director. “All we hoped for is to light a candle for Palestinians under siege in Gaza the way we know best, by making a film.”
Members of the film of cast are largely residents of Palestinian refugee camps with the lead role going to Mr. Alabbas Saed, Cooperative filmmaker and actor. The film, produced by the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative, was shot on location in the Baq’ah and Marka refugee camps in Jordan with no budget. The tunnel was built by renowned sculptor Aziz Abughazaleh.
The Clermont-Ferrand film festival is an Oscar-qualifying event for winners of the international and national film competitions. Arguably the largest short film festival in the world, the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival had well over 130,000 spectators in 2009.
The Amman Filmmakers Cooperative is a Jordan-based initiative established in 2002 to promote independent filmmaking in marginalized communities in Jordan.
The film has been selected previously to IDFA '10; Kazan Film Festival '10, Russia; San Francisco Arab Film Festival '10, USA; Boston Palestine Film Festival '10, USA; Jordan Short Film Festival '10, USA; Beirut Cinema Days, Lebanon.
RELATED LINKS
The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival
http://www.clermont-filmfest.comFILM CARD
Original Title: Ela Batn el-Hoot
English Title: Into The Belly of the Whale
Synopsis: Younis (Jonha), while caught in a Gaza tunnel, ponders the contradictions of being alive underground.
Director: Hazim Bitar
Writer: Hazim Bitar
Cinematography: Hazim Bitar
Producer: Hazim Bitar
Editor: Hazim Bitar
Cast: Alabbas Saed, Leen Azzam, Hussam Ayesh, Muhammad Azzam, Muhammad Abujudeh, Almamoun Abughazaleh
Set Design: Aziz Abughazaleh
Effects: Rabee Zureikat, Yazan Ashqar
Music: Marcel Khalife, Muhammad Flefel
Language: Arabic w/English subtitles
Format: HDV | PAL| Stereo | Color & B&W
Duration: 25 min
Year: 2010
Country: Jordan/Palestine
Web: http://JordanianFilms.com
Email: Hazim.Bitar{at}gmail.com
Phone: +962776400434
Distribution: Amman Filmmakers CooperativeBIO: Hazim Bitar is Jordanian/Palestinian director and producer. He is the founder of the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative, Jordan's leading indie cinema education initiative focusing on marginalized communities. He produced over 50 short films many of which have screened at leading film festivals and won various awards. He also served on various juries such as Huesca Film Festival, Tampere Film Festival, and the International Emmy.
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