"Arna's Children" by Juliano Mer Khamis & Danniel Danniel (2003)

Documentary - Arabic & Hebrew with English sub-titles

Approx. Length: 84 mins.

Description:

Yussef committed a suicide attack in Hadera in 2001.  Ashraf was killed in the battle of Jenin.  Alla leads a resistance group.  This powerful film tells the story of a Palestinian children's theatre group, established in Jenin by Israeli activist Arna Mer Khamis. The documentary allows the children to express their everyday frustrations, anger, bitterness and fear through their theatre, as well as in candid moments captured by the film-makers. The film follows the lives of these ordinary kids, and captures the forces which shape their transition into adulthood. Shifting back and forth in time, the film reveals the tragedy and horror of lives trapped under occupation, and helps provide context for the paths they choose to take as adults, as well as the violent ends that many of "Arna's children" ultimately meet.  This film will leave you speechless.

Contact E-mail: contact@arna.info

More about the film & film-maker: www.arna.info/Arna

Canadian Screenings:

Winnipeg

Calgary

Rated: 14A (Manitoba Film Classification Board)