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General News · 15th June 2024
Mercedes
Join us on June 21st at Manson’s Hall for a special public screening of the new documentary film, Where Olive Trees Weep, produced by and featuring, among others, Palestinian journalist and therapist, Ashira Darwish, grassroots activist Ahed Tamimi, and Israeli journalist Amira Hass, alongside trauma specialist, Dr. Gabor Mate. Directed by Zaya & Maurizio Benazzo, founders and organizers of the non-profit organization Science & Non-Duality (SAND)

This film is being offered globally for public screenings until the end of July. We will be a part of over 160 public in-person and virtual screenings from every corner of the world.

“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - Nelson Mandela

Film Website: https://whereolivetreesweep.com/
SAND: https://scienceandnonduality.com/
List of educational/action resources: https://whereolivetreesweep.com/resources/
FAQ about the film: https://whereolivetreesweep.com/faq/


ABOUT THE FILM

Synopsis:

“Where Olive Trees Weep offers a searing window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. It explores themes of loss, trauma, and the quest for justice. We follow, among others, Palestinian journalist and therapist Ashira Darwish, grassroots activist Ahed Tamimi, and Israeli journalist Amira Hass. We witness Dr. Gabor Maté offering trauma-healing work for a group of women who have been tortured in Israeli prisons. Ancient landscapes bear deep scars, having witnessed the brutal reality of ancestral land confiscation, expulsions, imprisonment, home demolitions, water deprivation, and denial of basic human rights. Yet, through the veil of oppression, we catch a glimpse of resilience—deep roots that have carried the Palestinian people through decades of darkness and shattered lives. This emotional journey bares the humanity of the oppressed while grappling with the question: what makes the oppressor so ruthlessly blind to its own cruelty?”

From The Filmmakers:

The film gives background to the current crisis in Israel/Palestine and brings to light the lives of people we met on our 2022 journey in the occupied West Bank. Their universally human stories speak of intergenerational pain, trauma and resilience. We hope they touch your heart, stir compassion and understanding, and give rise to a pursuit for justice. For without justice, peace remains an empty slogan.

Cinema can be a powerful force for change. Our aim is, beyond mere education, to truly move hearts and minds and inspire audiences to echo the calls for freedom, equality and dignity that have gone unanswered for far too long.

The film is our modest contribution towards our dream for an end to the occupation in Palestine, the attainment of equal rights and fair treatment for Palestinian people, and the spreading of healing for all intergenerational cycles of trauma in the region.


Location: Manson’s Hall
on the occupied traditional territories of the Klahoose, Tla'amin and Homalco First Nations. Otherwise known as Cortes Island.

Screening Time: 7pm - 9pm

Date: June 21st, 2024

Ticket Cost:

By-Donation - cash accepted at the door, or via e-transfer (contact us for transfer details)
Sliding Scale suggested donation: $5-$20.
Pay what you can, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Voluntary RSVP at Kinema: https://kinema.com/events/where-olive-trees-weep-jvc97j/tickets

All funds contributed will go directly to support planting olive trees in Palestine with Treedom for Palestine (https://treedomforpalestine.org/) humanitarian aid in Gaza with Middle East Children Alliance (https://www.mecaforpeace.org/) and trauma healing in Palestinian communities with Catharsis Holistic Healing (https://www.ashirapremrachana.com/catharsis-holistic...)

EVENT ACCESSIBILITY & SAFETY >>>

* Wheelchair Access is available by driving up to the wheelchair parking in front of the post office. Doors are located next to the parking.

* Islamophobia, anti-Arab hate, anti-Muslim hate and antisemitism against Jewish people will not be tolerated. Speak up and learn more about how to organize against antisemitism, anti-Arab hate, and anti-Muslim hate. Understand the difference between antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Educate yourself on antisemitism with this primer, On Antisemitism: Solidarity and the Struggle for Justice (https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1065-on-antisemitism) and the Unraveling Antisemitism poster and curriculum from Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (https://www.jfrej.org/news/2021/08/unraveling-antisemitism) Access guides for speaking out against Islamophobia, bullying and bias from CAIR (https://islamophobia.org/anti_prejudice_tools/).

* This film contains scenes of violence and descriptions of torture, and themes of trauma. It is recommended for viewers aged 14+. It can be an activating experience, and we recommend that you breathe deeply throughout, and do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Observe your body, stretch, move and sigh and cry as you feel comfortable to. Step away if you need, drink water, eat a snack. We are working towards expanding our windows of tolerance, to hold the complexity of this moment.

* Water, tea, coffee and light snacks will be offered with vegan and GF options available

* This is an indoor event. In solidarity with vulnerable community members, and with respect for each other's health, if you are experiencing symptoms of any sort, we kindly ask that you please stay home, rest and do your part to mitigate spread of illness. We encourage wearing a mask to the event. We will have masks on hand for you to wear, or you may bring your own. There will also be hand sanitizer available. At the roots of any movement for justice is compassionate community care.

We look forward to welcoming you for this special event.

in solidarity and gratitude,

Mary Clare Preston, Mercedes Grant, Nadya Purcell