Event Details
September 29, 2024
3:00 PM EDT
TIFF Lightbox 350 King St W, Toronto, Cinema 2
To My Father is Abdel Salam Shehadah’s poetic and mesmerizing homage to the studio photographers of the 1950’s – 70’s. Set partly in a refugee camp in Rafah, this is a remarkable look back at fifty years of Palestinian and Arab history, through photographs, reportage and the voices of photographers. A photo here is not just a photo: it brings history to life.
The film, which premiered at the second TPFF in 2009, is a deeply personal and moving film that spotlights the talent of Gaza-born director Shahadah, who has worked all over the world as a director, cameraman and journalist, and filmmaker. Shehada has been directing and producing films and programming for over 30 years – including more than 20 documentary films, which have been nominated and won awards. Shehada also worked for NHK Japan TV.
Following the screening, TPFF is honoured to host an in-person conversation with Director Shahadah, recently exiled from Gaza, about his reflections as a filmmaker from Gaza.
Co-presented with Toronto Palestine Film Festival.
Screenings:
To My Father//إلى أبي
Country: Palestine
Director: Abdel Salam Shehada
Length: 53 mins
Synopsis: “Those were days when people prettier, when eyes were filled with colour, even in black and white. What has changed – the camera, or the eye?” asks Abdel Salam Shehadah’s poetic homage to the studio photographers of the 1950’s – 70’s. Set partly in a refugee camp in Rafah, the film looks back at fifty years of Palestinian and Arab history, told through the photographs, reportage and the voices of these photographers today.