News coming from Palestine those days are quite depressing. Nothing new one might argue, but the deepening divisions amongst the Palestinian society have made it painful for the so many supporters of the noble cause of liberation in Palestine to keep on fighting. So I was delighted to hear (a bit late I have to admit) about this play called "Sunlight at Midnight." Created by the Palestine Theatre in Motion group and supported by Amnesty International, the play commemorates the 25th anniversary of the brutal massacre of Palestinian refugees in the Sabra-Shatila camps. The cast include Najla Said, the daughter of the late Palestinian scholar Edward Said."A British Palestinian solicitor, Naji, lives in London doing his best to avoid involvement with the politics that affected his fellow Palestinians. He is successful, happy and assimilated into British society. On a night out celebrating his engagement to his long time girlfriend Alice, they hear a beautiful song by a young woman. Although he cannot understand much about the song, a few days later Naji comes back alone to the same restaurant to hear it again. His growing attachment to the young singer breaks the illusion of his carefully ordered life.
"Guided by the young singer's haunting voice and snippets of emails and articles, Naji follows the story of Hani, a 19 year old boy in from Shatila. It's 1982 and all Palestinian fighters have been allowed safe exit out of Beirut under a peace agreement. Hani bids his family goodbye not realizing it is not he but they who are in danger and that he will never see them again.
"Naji's interest in the past soon reveals more about his own feelings. Are his arguments with Alice over wedding arrangements merely cold feet or a deeper disquiet? Can he really escape the effects of what happened to his fellow Palestinians in Beirut 25 years ago?"
The Palestine Theatre in Motion website doesn't mention dates other than those planned in the UK. If anybody is listening and maybe aware of further presentations throughout Europe (especially in France) please let me know.
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8 comments:
Israel has made countless killings of prominent and ordinary Palestinians (in many cases through Palestinian collaborators). What is not acceptable is that Palestinians start to find it normal to kill one another before the world media. So protests and political differences turn into carnage.
It seems ridiculous that the Palestinians are just mimicking Israel in repressive measures against one another rather than in democratic process. During the clashes between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza, people were thrown from top of building to the ground. Something which Israel can't do at least in public. When it comes to fratricide, there is little hope for the Palestinians to live in peace among themselves, let alone their enemy Israel. Perhaps they should learn from it at least how to sort it out without bloodshed.
I couldn't agree more my dear friend, but in the same time I find it hard to blame Palestinians who are put under unbearable circumstances, let down by everybody and pushed to a situation of total despair. These horrible internecine killings amount to a sort of collective suicide! I hope Palestinians and the millions of supporters of their cause can overcome this terrible nightmare. As for Israelis, they actively participated in creating this situation supported by their American sponsors and protectors. They talk about peace knowing that they mean surrender because they will never be ready to pay the price of justice which is the only way to peace... it's not rocket science Abdelilah, it's just common sense isn't it? Give people justice and you'll gain peace.
Sorry for the response delay... It's busy time down here, but it's always a pleasure sharing thoughts with my good old Marrakshi friend!
Oh man, I've missed this! I didn't hear anything about it :(
Wassim! I really envy you... you live in London: probably the most exciting and lively cities on earth... it's a shame you didn't hear about the play... I'm sure there's more to come around you!
You are right Hisham. Without justice there can be no peace. It is the sense of frustration and humiliation that drives one to sacrifice anything to regain dignity. Without dignity, even with material prosperity, life become like living in a golden cage.
The play was so powerful, and the cast was amazing, I loved the writing by Razanne Carmey and the directing was excellent and very smart by Sami Metwasi.
I was in Lebanon, the two camps condition is unbelievably bad like many other Palestinian camps in Lebanon!
Thank you Anonymous, I'm very grateful for your comment. I'm also evious because I will probably never have the opprtunity to watch the play.
Please, don't make it your last visit!
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