Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi wants film festivals to “play their role”

In his upcoming film, Masharawi vows to “make the truth prevail in the face of the lies of the Israeli occupation.”

Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi recently addressed Israel’s ongoing onslaught and siege on Gaza at the eighth Aswan International Women Film Festival in southern Egypt.

Speaking at the festival – with “resistance cinema” as its theme this year – he stated his intention to “export a different cinematic image of Gaza” and “make the truth prevail in the face of the lies of the Israeli occupation.”

At present, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7.

Masharawi elaborated on how he “does not consider art and cinema as purely entertainment,” adding, “If film festivals do not play their role when major disasters occur, as with what is currently happening in Palestine, then why do they exist?”

The 62-year-old director also spoke about his upcoming film, in which he plans to expose a “lie of self-defence.”

He continued, “The Occupation blew up the studio of an artist in Gaza with paintings and statues. Where is self-defence when one kills artists and intellectuals, while calling them terrorists?” 

Six Palestinian short films were screened at the festival as part of a competition recognising directors from various parts of the region.

Masharawi gained international recognition in 1996 for his film “Haifa,” which made him the first film by a Palestinian director to join the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival.

Born a child of refugees in the Gaza Strip, the director now resides in Ramallah – in the currently occupied West Bank.

The director said, “It is difficult [for Israel] to occupy our memories, our identities, our music, our history and our culture.”