The project

The film Survivor marks the beginning of our partnership with Palestinian filmmaker Ihab Ghafri. We want to support him in developing an infrastructure, where the idea is to make films in Palestine and consequently show them in Europe. The film Survivor was shot in several Palestinian cities, with Palestinian actors and crew. With Ontmoet Palestina we focus on spreading the message in the films by organizing events. We like to invite the makers to express themselves, and there are contributions from other specialists as well. If you have any tips for us, for instance, you work in film and want to help out, or have good contacts we could possibly work with, please let us know!

This project was realized with support from the Haella foundation. 

---

---

Survivor

The short film 'Survivor' follows the Palestinian Ehab and Shatha on their journey through the West Bank and their quest for adventure, love and inner peace. However, during their trip through the beautiful Palestinian nature and the lively Palestinian cities, they find physical and mental barriers on their way.
​
Although both grew up under the Israeli occupation, Ehab and Shatha experience things differently. Ehab bears the burden of growing up in Nablus during the second intifada, which creates distance between him and Shatha. Can they overcome their 'fear of life'

---

About Ihab

"Smile to confuse the world." Director Ihab Ghafri is a young film- and theatre-maker and is a psychologist specialized in trauma. He also works as a clown and guide in his city Nablus. The theme of his film touches on his own experiences and is at the same time his specialty as a psychologist. He states that Palestinians do not experience post-traumatic stress syndrome, but an 'ongoing trauma' as there is no end to the stress of the occupation. With this film, Ihab tells his story.

---

Film screening

Ihab was in the Netherlands in February 2020 to screen Survivorv on several events. Based on the film, he spoke candidly about his trauma and experiences. Several specialists in the field of (political) trauma sat down to talk with the audience and Ihab (Anja Meulenbelt, Jaap Hamburger, Vivienne Matthies Boon). The film was screened in Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Driebergen.

If you are interested in organizing an event around this or a related theme, let us know!