Composed of archival fragments, A Fidai Film reconstructs the visual memory of Palestine, reclaiming images that were plundered from the Palestine Research Centre in Beirut in 1982.

In the summer of 1982, the Israeli army invaded Beirut. During this time, it raided the Palestinian Research Center and looted its entire archive. The archive contained historical documents of Palestine, including a collection of still and moving images. Taking this as a premise, 'A Fidai Film' aims to create a counter-narrative to this loss, presenting a form of cinematic sabotage that seeks to reclaim and restore the looted memories of Palestinian history. It’s a poignant exploration of identity, memory, and resistance, told through a unique blend of documentary and experimental filmmaking techniques.

Re-positioning archival fragments and burning through parts of the original image in searing red, A Fidai Film lays bare the looting of Palestinian visual history. Aljafari’s singular and striking editing technique creates a counter-narrative that reclaims and re-imagines images and footage plundered from the Palestine Research Centre in Beirut. - Maria Paradinas

Timings