Israelis-Palestinians: What Can Cinema Do? was the name of the first two editions of this biennale festival. The first was held from 26 March to 1 April 2003, quickly making its mark as an event not to miss, an event that can be qualified as the only biennale festival in Europe bringing these "enemies" together on the same programme.
Founder Janine Halbreich-Euvrard has been a film critic since 1974. That same year she organized - in Royan, France - the first third-world film festival ever held in Europe, already focusing on the Middle East, and of course, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She made a visit to the region in 2004, venturing to meet the filmmakers on their own territory.
By February of 2005, she had published a book bearing the same name, in which she recounts her journey iinterpspersed with a series of interviews with some of the most prominent filmmakers in the region, including Sobhi Al-Zobaidi, Simone Bitton, Tawfiq Abut Wael, Mai Masri, Ram Loevy, Avi Mograbi, Georges Khleifi…The second edition of the biennale festival took place from 1 to 7 June 2005.
In the continuity of this strong beginning, we proudly presented to you the third edition from 21 to 27 November 2007. We recognised the need to widen our approach, for the whole area is implicated in this tragic and endless conflict and that is why the name of the event is now Middle East: What Can Cinema Do?.
Another new element for the 2007 edition was the debate+film daily screening, exploring crucial themes such as the Israeli settlement of Palestinian land, the tragedy of Gaza, that of Lebanon, the war in Iraq and the place of Women in Middle Eastern society.
This film week is held at the cinema Les 3 Luxembourg. Art house cinema owners Gérard and Anne Vaugeois have played an essential role in hosting Middle East: What Can Cinema Do?. Their dedication to bringing thought-provoking films and filmmakers to meet movie audiences on a regular basis has guaranteed that the event and the venue have been in perfect symbiosis.
recent articles
Item posted : 26.02.2008
Marina Da Silva Reports on the Event
For La Revue d'études palestinienne
Le 29 novembre 1947, l'assemblée générale des Nations Unies votait le plan de partage de la Palesti ne qui proposait aux Palesti niens 47% du territoire de la Palesti ne du mandat britannique. Aujourd'hui, toutes les initiatives de paix sont bien en dessous et depuis les accords d'Oslo de 1993 qui prévoyaient la constitution d'un Etat palesti nien dans un délai de cinq ans, le mieux que puissent espérer les Palesti niens est de récupérer 22% de leur territoire d'origine.
more infoLe 29 novembre 1947, l'assemblée générale des Nations Unies votait le plan de partage de la Pal
Item posted : 26.02.2008
Press Clippings of the 3rd Edition
Press clippings presenting the third edition of
Item posted : 07.12.2007
Closed but not Finished
The third edition of Middle East: What Can Cinema Do? has reached its close, successfully bringing together a varied audience, from activist to just curious, to see the films and be part of the daily conferences that have contributed to the growing importance of this Parisian biennial event.
more infoItem posted : 09.11.2007
Film + Debate & Participants
The Iron Wall opened Middle East: What Can Cinema Do? Screened in tandem with our opening debate - the Israeli settlement of Palestinian land, we were honoured to receive Leila Shahid (EU Palestinian Delgate), Michel Warschawski (Israeli peace activist, journalist and director of the AIC) and Dominique Vidal (Le Monde Diplomatique) for this kick-off, along with director Mohammed Alatar.
more infoItem posted : 23.09.2007
A Word from the Festival Director
From Anguish to Hope
We have thus reached the third edition of what has become an anticipated biennale meeting and we would so much like to boast a real change towards peace in the Israel-Palestine situation. Alas, it seems we are further away than ever from it and the abscess that poisons all civilian and political life in the Middle East has only spread, igniting new centres of death and destruction.
Item posted : 09.11.2007
A Word from the Mayor of Paris
Paris, a city of peace and freedom, knows how much cinema, a universal art rich in diversity, is a powerful vector of dialogue and mutual knowledge.
more infoItem posted : 09.11.2007
A Word from the Director of Le Monde Diplomatique
Exactly 60 years ago on November 29, 1947, the United Nations' General Assembly divided Palestine into two states, one Jewish, the other Arab. But the war of 1948 had a different outcome: only the state of Israel was to come into existence; it broke into parcels the territory of the stillborn Arab state with Jordan and Egypt, and 800,000 Palestinians went into exile.
more infoItem posted : 09.11.2007
A Word from the President of the Regional Council of Ile de France
Within two editions, "Middle-East : What Can Cinema Do" has asserted itself as an important cinematographic meeting in Ile de France (greater Paris). After the cinema of Israel and Palestine with the conflict as the backdrop, this third edition opens new windows and expresses new hopes of closeness and peace for other Middle Eastern countries.
more infoItem posted : 23.09.2007
A Word from Véronique Cayla, Director of the CNC
The first two editions of the festival What Can Cinema Do? took place in 2003 and 2005 at the cinema Les 3 Luxembourg and focused on the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
more infoItem posted : 05.10.2007
Festival Friends
Your contribution to our event can make a difference.
Item posted : 23.09.2007
Festival Organising Committee & supporters
Meet the members of the organising committee.