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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 Spilliaert, Rami El Nihawi, Mohanad Yaqubi

  • Narrator: Lisa Spilliaert

  • Distribution: Escautville

  • Screening copy: Idioms Film​

Screenings:

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 2023: AFLAM Festival, Marseille (FR)

  • 2023: Cairo Cinema Days (EG)

  • 2023: Cine- Palestine, Paris (FR)

  • 2023: UK Premier, SAFAR Film Festival

  • 2023: Van Abbemuseum Eindhoven (NL)

  • 2023: Australian Premier, Melbourne International Film Festival

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

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

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

  • 2023: Madani International Filmfestival, Jakarta (IDN)

  • 2023: Palestine Film Festival, Boston (US)

  • 2023: Split Filmfestival, Kino Karaman (HRV)

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

  • 2023: Palestine Cinema Days, Ramallah (oPt)

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