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SYNOPSIS
An elderly Palestinian refugee couple in a final standoff with the israeli authorities to maintain their lifestyle in Roshmia; the last natural valley in Haifa. Yousef and his wife Amna,who originally descents from the Gypsies of Palestine, have lived in a shack all alone in their eighties since 1956 in what seems to be a life of serenity; far away from the loudness of modern life. Life remains peaceful in Roshmia until the israeli authorities endorse a new road project and order to confiscate their land, demolish the shack and throw them out. A friend of the couple tries to secure a compensation from the municipality but the shack is Yousef’s home that he insists on keeping; living in bliss and comfort as ever, however the negotiations continue and tension grows among the three. Furthermore, and besides the physical displacement and despair they are nearly facing, Yousef and Amna are about to go on separate ways.
THE DIRECTOR Salim Abu Jabal
Salim Abu Jabal is an award winning filmmaker born in the Occupied Golan Height. He studied theatre and Arabic literature at the University of Haifa, and scriptwriting. He worked as a journalist and film critic in various newspapers and then pursued a career in TV and cinema. Since then, he produced and directed several films, series and programs and was best known for his roles as casting director and producer of renowned award-winning films.
In 2005, Salim founded a travelling film festival ‘Films from behind the wall’ that specialized in Palestinian cinema from the West Bank and Gaza. In 2013, he founded a Cinema Club dedicated to the dissemination of art house and independent cinema in Haifa, Ramallah, Gaza, Bethlehem and Jenin.
His first feature 'Roshmia' (2015) won 13 awards around the world. It was awarded “Special Jury Prize” at Dubai Int’l Film Festival, “Golden Oasis” at Gabes Int’l Arab Film Festival, “Grand Prize” at Festival Int’l Cinema Tetouan, “Best Documentary, Open Eyes Award” at MedFilm Festival Rome, “Special Jury Prize” at Algeria International Cinema Festival and other awards. This documentary was screened at IDFA 2015