5 Broken Cameras

Synopsis

Filmed from the perspective of Emad, a Palestinian farm labourer, this documentary was shot using six different video cameras, five of which were destroyed in the process of documenting Emad’s family’s life. Emad, who lives in Bil’in, just west of the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, was thrust into global politics when his community peacefully resisted Israeli plans to erect a wall through their land to separate them from the ever growing Israeli settlements. Initially given the camera to chronicle the birth and childhood of his son Gibreel, the film captures Gibreel growing into a precocious pre-schooler against the backdrop of the many non-violent protests that have become an intrinsic part of life in Bil’in. With hundreds of hours of video footage covering a period of over six years, Emad started working with Israeli activist and filmmaker Guy Davidi to produce a film. Guy helped shape the material and compose a commentary for the film. Together, they have turned 5 Broken Cameras into a larger-than-life lyrical device that both informs and structures their personal and collective struggles in the West Bank. A work of both cinematic and political activism, 5 BROKEN CAMERAS daringly meshes personal essay with political cinema, displaying how images and cameras can change lives and realities.

Language

English

Country

Algeria

Year of production

2011

Notes

Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles.

Subjects

Film studies; Politics & government

Keywords

Israel; Palestine; family life; film essay

Credits

Director

Emad Burnat; Guy Davidi

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£5.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

90 minutes

Year

2019

Distributor

Name

New Wave Films

Email

info@newwavefilms.co.uk

Web

http://www.newwavefilms.co.uk/contact.html External site opens in new window

Phone

020 3178 7096

Fax

020 3008 6171

Address

10 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8RL

 

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