The Documentaries by Omar Robert Hamilton and Khaled Jarrar at SFF Do You Remember Palestine?

Omar Robert Hamilton and Khaled Jarrar at SFF / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

Both artists deal with the issue of Palestine and the respect for human rights. Through subtle narration and suggestive images 'Though I Know The Rivers Is Dry' reveals a moral fluctuations of a man torn between staying in the political hopelessness of Palestinian daily life or seeking the "security" of another country. Through a series of striking scenes and dialogues with his family members (mother, brother and wife) the documentary presents a psychological drama of a man's search for his identity.

A still from the documentary 'Though I know The Rivers is Dry' / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

A still from the documentary 'Though I know The Rivers is Dry' / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

A still from the documentary 'Though I know The Rivers is Dry' / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

'Infiltrators' is a classic documentary about the Palestinian people who are trapped in their own country and whose physical movement is violently disabled by Israeli authorities raising the concrete wall on the Palestinian land. The director of the documentary followed, with his camera, Palestinian people were trying in various ways to get over the wall that separates Palestinian homes and families. "Going to work" or "visiting your own family", on your own land, means to "illegally" climb over the wall. The name 'Infiltrators' comes from the Israeli term for the people who are dangerous and "infiltrating" inside Israel. This term has nothing to do with the "security" of Israel, since these 'Infiltrators' are ordinary people who are forced to cross the wall several times a day just to survive.

A documentary shows all the brutality and inhumanity of the Israeli authorities when it comes to human rights of Palestinians, and it is portrayed in a way that can't be seen on the evening news.

A still from the documentary 'Infiltrators' showing two young people climbing over the wall / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

A still from the documentary 'Infiltrators' showing an old woman being separated from her family by the wall / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

A still from the documentary 'Infiltrators' showing a man caught by Israeli solders while crossing the street / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

After the screening at the Cinema city in Sarajevo, a panel discussion titled 'Do You Remember Palestine?' was moderated by Sabina Ćudić, a well-known Bosnian intellectual. Besides the directors of the documentaries, Omar Robert Hamilton and Khaled Jarrar, the speakers were also Lucas Rosenkrants (Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina), Marry Ann Henessey (Counsil of Europe) and Jasmin Basic (Programmer FIFDH Geneva).

Both directors stressed that Palestine is the occupied country and is facing a severe violation of human rights by Israeli authorities while Western countries do little to nothing to help. The rest of the speakers showed their support but also stressed that there is no political will to change things.

Miro Purivatra, the director of Sarajevo Film Festival opened the Panel 'Do You Remember Palestine?' / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

Sabina Ćudić, the moderator of the Panel / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

The Panel (from left to right): Sabina Ćudić, Omar Robert Hamilton, Khaled Jarrar, Marry Ann Henessey, Jasmin Basic, Lucas Rosenkrants / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

The audience at Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

Since, in not so distant past, Bosnia and its capital city Sarajevo, experienced aggression and huge violation of human rights by Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro, the domestic audience felt compassion and true connection with sufferings of Palestinian people, expressing their absolute support to the efforts of bringing the truth about Palestine to the world.