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— R 21 aka Restoring Solidarity | 2022
Mohanad Yaqubi

DCP, 4:3, Colour​

Japanese, Arabic, English spoken

English, Dutch subtitles

69'11"

R.21 AKA RESTORING SOLIDARITY explores the growing struggle for Palestinian self-determination between 1960 and 1980, a movement supported by left-wing groups worldwide, including in Japan.

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This is illustrated through a collection of 16mm films made by militant filmmakers from various countries, which were dubbed and screened in Japan. Japanese audiences, who felt oppressed by the US after World War II, not only sympathised with the Palestinians but also identified with their struggle.

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Stylistically, the films vary widely. They include interviews with PLO leaders, documentary impressions of life in refugee camps, experimental films, and even instructional films aimed at promoting tourism.

 

Mohanad Yaqubi draws on this diverse material to create a film that can be seen as both a conclusion and an epilogue. He explores how two very different peoples can feel connected through images, while raising key questions: Where is the line between support and propaganda? And to what extent can a local struggle be translated into an international one?

Credits:

 

  • Produced by Subversive Film, Idioms Film

  • Co-produced by Escautville

  • With the support of the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), Sak A Do, The Kitchen BXL, KASK Ghent, Sharjah Art Foundation, Doha Film Institute, documenta fifteen and Kamel Lazaar Foundation

 

  • Written & Directed: Mohanad Yaqubi

  • Cinematography: Casey Asprooth-Jackson

  • Editing: Rami El Nihawi

  • Sound design: Raf Enckels

  • Screenplay: Lisa Spillieart, Rami El Nihawi, Mohanad Yaqubi

  • Narrator: Lisa Spilliaert

  • World Sales: Escautville

  • Screening copy: Idioms Film​

Screenings:

 

  • Tokyo Reels Film Festival, documenta fifteen, Cinema Gloria, Kasel (DE) 2022

  • IDFA International Doc. Festival Amsterdam (NL), Nov 2022 (World Premier)

  • Marrakech Film Festival (MA), Nov 2022 (African Premier)

  • Jerusalem International Film Festival (IL), Dec 2022 (Winner of Olive d’Or)

  • Karama Human Rights Film Festival, Amman (JO), Dec 2022

  • True/False Film Festival, Missouri (US), March 2023 (North American Premier)

  • First Look Film Festival, New York (US), March 2023

  • AFLAM Festival, Marseille (FR), March 2023

  • Cairo Cinema Days (EG), March 2023

  • Cine- Palestine, Paris (FR), June 2023

  • SAFAR Film Festival, June 2023 (UK Premier)

  • Van Abbemuseum Eindhoven (NL), juli 2023

  • Melbourne International Film Festival, Aug 2023 (Australian Premier)

  • Jakarta International Film Festival (IDN), Sept 2023 (Indonesian Premier)

  • Contour Biennale, Mechelen (BE), Sept 2023 (Belgian Premier)

  • Twin Cities Arab Film Festival, Saint Paul Minnesota (US), Sept 2023

  • Madani International Filmfestival; Jakarta (IDN), October 2023

  • Palestine Film Festival, Boston (US), Oct 2023

  • Split Filmfestival, Kino Karaman (HRV), October 2023

  • Archivio Aperto film festival, Bologna (IT), October 2023

  • Palestine Cinema Days, Ramallah, Oct 2023​

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