As an admirer of filmmaking and stories that challenge the status quo, I am deeply moved by Firas Khoury’s journey as a Palestinian filmmaker seeking to bring authentic and thought-provoking narratives to the world. With his sophomore feature “Dear Tarkovsky,” Khoury continues to push boundaries, tackling themes of artistic ambition, resistance, and the struggle for narrative control in the face of occupation and censorship.
Mad Solutions, the Arab distributor, has acquired the global rights for Firas Khoury’s new film “Dear Tarkovsky.” Following his successful “Alam” (The Flag) that won at the Cairo Film Festival, Khoury is set to present this upcoming project to potential collaborators at the Durban FilmMart this week.
The second movie by the director focuses on Farouk, a 35-year-old man residing in Ramallah with a passion to create his debut film, “A Bridge to Jaffa,” which is set during historical times and tells the story of a Palestinian fighter. With a background from Russian film school and inspired by renowned Soviet filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky, Farouk yearns for an avenue to express his artistic desires beyond producing low-budget wedding videos as a means to sustain himself.
The inexperienced filmmaker faces financial challenges in producing his thought-provoking movie, featuring scenes of his character engaging in armed conflicts against Israeli soldiers. As his annoyance grows, he devises a plan to swindle one of Ramallah’s wealthiest and unscrupulous men out of his funds. However, things take an unexpected turn when Farouk develops feelings for the tycoon’s daughter.
Despite being advertised as a romantic comedy with additional genre aspects, “Dear Tarkovsky” is deeply influenced by Khoury’s struggles in funding his first film. This politically charged production follows a group of Palestinian-Israeli adolescents who devise a plan to swap the Israeli flag on their school rooftop for a Palestinian one on Israel’s Independence Day eve. “Alam,” which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and later succeeded in Cairo, received praise from EbMaster‘s Alissa Simon for its “perceptive and compassionate portrayal of the seldom-depicted, ordinary lives of young Palestinian citizens of Israel.”
Although Khoury has received recognition for his initial work, he expresses a desire for his next project to avoid being a repetition of the same theme. “It took me a decade to secure funding for my first film,” he shared. “Most Palestinian filmmakers rely on European financing, but these entities are often more focused on erasing our narrative than bringing it to light. In my opinion, European funds generally favor producing films that portray Palestinians as victims rather than showing the full picture.”
“Every Palestinian filmmaker and scriptwriter, including myself, understands at a deep level that portraying a Palestinian resistance fighter in their work is off-limits because they’re often labeled as terrorists. They know what themes to avoid to secure funding. In ‘Dear Tarkovsky,’ I discuss how Zionism restricts us from sharing our own stories and narratives.”
“Dear Tarkovsky,” a film by Asma Chiboub for Tunisia’s Atlas Vision, is made in collaboration with Italy’s Dugong Films (“The Girl in the Fountain”) and Sweden’s Fox in the Snow Films (“Costa Brava, Lebanon”). The movie draws inspiration from Tarkovsky’s “Nostalgia,” where a Russian poet and his interpreter journey to Italy to investigate an 18th-century composer’s life. For Khoury, both films represent artists in exile, with Farouk becoming increasingly disheartened by his personal filmmaking struggles as well as the state of Palestine.
As the first anniversary of the Gaza conflict nears, Khoury confesses that his concentration on filmmaking has waned. “It’s tough for me to continue working,” he admitted. “In a region where mass killings are occurring openly, it feels meaningless to create art.” Khoury, who infuses purpose into his films, shared, “Being from an occupied land and living in harsh circumstances, I strive to produce movies that resonate globally. To bring about change and secure our freedom.”
He expressed his passion for cinema and storytelling, adding that the stories he wished to create revolved around various occupations. “Things seem to lose significance,” he continued. “It’s challenging to be imaginative during such periods. It’s hard to hold faith in the impact of a film.”
During the Durban FilmMart’s 15th edition from July 19-22, Khoury will present “Dear Tarkovsky” to potential financiers and collaborators for the first time. He spoke about the importance of showcasing his film in South Africa, drawing parallels between Nelson Mandela’s quest for allies against apartheid and his own search for support in the film industry.
“Khoury responded, ‘Why do you question my allegiance to Arafat and Castro?’ I’m searching for backing in Africa for my mission to share this tale. My goal is companions in creating my movies, spreading my message, combating the Israeli propaganda with an alternate narrative. To this day, global media portrays any Palestinian armed in defense of their land as a terrorist. It’s preposterous. We aim to convey a new account.”
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2024-07-20 12:16