It's Raining Men

Gaza, the main city of the Gaza strip, bordering both Egypt and Israel. Not the most happy place on earth. Indirectly run by the organization know as Hamas. The organization responsible for rocket attacks, improvised explosive device attacks, shootings and other peaceful activities. Asmaa Aghoul, a citizen of the city of Gaza, has had a few run-ins with Hamas. a few unpleasant ones to be specific. An example given in The Globe and Mail, While she was swimming at the local beach this past summer, she was warned by a modesty patrol that she was “having too much fun”.  The condition there must be just horrible if you can’t have too much fun without “disturbing the officials”

Asmaa Alghoul, A writer participating in the film festival

Asmaa Alghoul, A writer participating in the film festival

Asmaa Alghoul, 24 year old writer from Gaza was very happy to learn of a film festival for women exclusively. I’m very surprised to hear of anything woman exclusive in those regions, personally.

The Women’s film festival, titled: “Through the eyes of women” spanning three days and containing 27 films, all by female directors, five of which are locals from Gaza. The idea of a film festival seems great, but apparently the city had no theater. They decided to hang a huge sheet outside to project the films. They might have stolen the sheets from old Ku klux klan members and they’re using them now for feminist movie festivals. who knows? More than half of the viewers in the Shawa auditorium were women, ranging from a couple in blue jeans and long flowing hair, to two others in full black facial covering, or Niqab. I would have thought that such a large scale event would ever be held in a place where women are treated like dirt, almost out of habit. And with the government as corrupt as it is and the whole Hamas story. I’m pleasantly surprised it didn’t burst out into a massacre.

Promotional Poster for the event

Promotional Poster for the event

Though first having to apply to the Ministry of the Interior for permission, the Police commander and finally the Ministry of Information. It must have been nerve-wracking to wait for the results from when they submitted the idea.  Apparently the biggest obstacle was the Ministry of Information, having asked to see a copy ef every single film in the festival. The organisers of the festival simply refused and accepted to give them only the five films by Gaza locals. Officers came to the festival and went away looking content and satisfied.

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