19 Jan 2024: Singapore Palestine Film Festival
19 January 2024
Singapore Palestine Film Festival
In 1967, amidst a world of change, young Tarek and his mother, refugees from Palestine, navigate life in a camp, longing for a reunion with his father. Tarek’s quest for freedom leads to a transformative journey, capturing the spirit of those seeking more in a time of hope and upheaval. “When I Saw You” لما شفتك is a tale of the boundless human spirit against the backdrop of a war.
The portrayal of Tarek's mother in the film "When I Saw You" deeply resonated with me. This movie, featured in the Singapore Palestine Film Festival 2024, represents a grassroots initiative exhibiting a curated collection of 10 thought-provoking films. These films shed light on the myriad challenges encountered by the Palestinian people, aiming to enhance cultural awareness and foster a greater understanding of their circumstances among Singaporeans. Proceeds from the film festival will go directly to the Singapore Red Cross for the relief and recovery efforts of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Partners, who have been on the ground responding to the immediate needs of civilians affected by the crisis.
As I watched, I was reminded of a Ukrainian film, "Mother of Apostles," which I viewed at the 2022 European Film Festival in Singapore. This poignant narrative chronicles mothers searching for their sons during the 2014 Ukraine conflict, capturing the agony, hope, and despair of maternal love amidst war. Both films evoke the heartache of mothers in wartime, yearning for their sons' safety and return.
War must cease for the sake of these mothers. Ceasefires must pave the way for peace and security, granting justice, rights, safety, and dignity to those trapped in harrowing circumstances.
I appreciate the effort of the Singapore Palestine Film Festival 2024 to showcase these thought-provoking films and highlight the challenges confronted by the Palestinian people. It is commendable that this initiative stems from the dedication of volunteer Singaporeans, raising awareness of the situation in a manner that could be more conducive for dialogues.
Holding the Ropes: Interfaith Dialogue & Reflections Surrounding the Israel-Gaza War is a blog series that follows the events, dialogues and reflections experienced by Nazhath Faheema in the aftermath of the 2023 Israel-Gaza war. Triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and Israel’s military response, there continues to be widespread destruction and civilian displacement in Gaza. Additionally, Israeli hostages remain in captivity.
Against this backdrop, Nazhath Faheema, through her reflections, provides insights into the dynamics of the war, its impact on interfaith relations, and the inherent challenges and opportunities in fostering understanding and empathy between Jewish and Muslim communities.
