Abu Ammar is Coming

Synopsis

A photograph showing five men: four stare out of a window, one looks at the camera. The light has a soft glow. The stage is a bombed building. All five men wear military clothes. Abu Ammar was the nom de guerre of Yasser Arafat. His party fascinated young members of the Socialist Party in Bangladesh and Arabic newspapers claim that this enigmatic Magnum photograph from 1982 is evidence of the presence of Bengali volunteers fighting alongside Palestinians against Israelis in Lebanon. Filmmaker Naeem Mohaiemen uses this still image as the starting point for his intriguing new short film essay, which is one of the four films that make up THE YOUNG MAN WAS...(NO LONGER A TERRORIST) project (2012-2016), which is an exploration of the history of the international left and the contradictions of nationalism in the 1970s. [6 minutes]

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of production

2016

Subjects

Film studies; History

Keywords

Bangladesh; experimental film & video; Lebanon; Palestine; photography; left-wing politics

Online availability

URI

https://lux.org.uk/whats-on/luxplayer

Delivery

Streamed

Credits

Director

Naeem Mohaiemen

Distribution Formats

Type

Film

Sponsor

Name

Independent Cinema Office

Name

Lux

Email

info@lux.org.uk

Web

https://lux.org.uk/ External site opens in new window

Phone

020 31412960

Address

Waterlow Park Centre
Dartmouth Park Hill
London
N19 5JF

Notes

The premier UK source for arts-based moving image materials including experimental film, video art, installation art, performance art, personal documentary, essay films and animation. Incorporates collections previously held by the London Film-makers’ Co-op and London Video Arts. The 4000+ works are available for non-theatric exhibition, some may be purchased on DVD through the online shop, and a selection are streamed for free online viewing.