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Screening will start at 12:00 Noon US EDT; 18:00 Palestine, 17:00 Europe, UK 16:00; Running Time 52 minutes, 1999 released, English subtitles. The film screening will be followed by discussions with the audience.
About the Film
"Naji Al-Ali: An Artist with Vision" is a documentary film that explores the life and work of renowned Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al-Ali. The film, directed by Kasim Abid, delves into Al-Ali's experiences as a refugee, his artistic development, and his unflinching criticism of Arab regimes, Israel, and social injustices.
The documentary features interviews with leading Arab journalists, poets, and Al-Ali's contemporaries, offering insights into his artistic vision, his commitment to social justice, and the risks he took to express his opinions. Al-Ali's cartoons, which exposed the brutality of the Israeli army and the hypocrisy of the PLO, earned him many powerful enemies and ultimately led to his assassination in London in 1987.
"Naji Al-Ali: An Artist with Vision" is a powerful tribute to a courageous artist who used his work to challenge oppression and promote positive change.
About Naji Al-Ali
Naji Al-Ali was a renowned Palestinian cartoonist, satirist, and visual journalist, celebrated for his poignant and powerful critiques of Arab regimes, Israel, and social injustices. Born in 198 in Al-Shajarah, Palestine, Al-Ali's life was forever marked by the displacement he suffered at the age of 10, when his family was forced to flee to Lebanon.
Al-Ali's artistic talent and commitment to social justice led him to create thousands of cartoons, many of which were published in various Arab newspapers and magazines. His iconic character, Handala, a barefoot, 10-year-old refugee boy, became an enduring symbol of Palestinian resistance and identity
Throughout his career, Al-Ali faced numerous challenges and threats, including imprisonment and assassination attempts, due to his uncompromising criticism of those in power ⁵. Tragically, his life was cut short on August 9, 1987, when he was shot in the head by an unknown assailant in London.
Despite his untimely death, Naji Al-Ali's legacy continues to inspire and influence artists, activists, and individuals around the world. His courageous commitment to justice, humanity, and freedom of expression remains a powerful testament to the impact of art and satire in challenging oppression and promoting positive change.