A Fidai Film

During Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, its Defence Force looted the archive of the Palestinian Research Centre, taking every sort of document with them back to Israel. These included both still and moving images that formed an integral part of the visual memory of Palestine. Those stolen materials were then used by Israel to create a narrative aimed at bolstering the Occupation. As openly referenced by the title (Fidai refers to the figure of the freedom fighter), A FIDAI FILM is an act of resistance that re-appropriates those images in an attempt to reanimate Palestine’s vanishing history. Aljafari broadens our perspective on the Occupation and practically bends time, as material shot decades earlier grimly resembles the contemporary images broadcast every day from Gaza. Like an archaeologist, Aljafari restores those images to their original meaning, stripping away words and revealing the intimidating propaganda work that goes hand in hand with a military occupation. With his unique approach to the archive, Aljafari once again expands the boundaries of the essay film with a humanistic gaze that is profoundly necessary, treating each and every frame with great respect for justice and remembrance. (Rebecca De Pas)

In the presence of Kamal Aljafari.

Kamal Aljafari: VISIT IRAQ (2003, K), THE ROOF (2006), BALCONIES (2007, K), PORT OF MEMORY (2010), RECOLLECTION (2015), IT’S A LONG WAY FROM AMPHIOXUS (2019, K), AN UNUSUAL SUMMER (2020), PARADISO, XXXI, 108 (2023, K), UNDR (2024, K)