Mer-Khamis, the inspirational co-founder of
The Freedom Theater in Jenin refugee camp, was murdered on 4 April just outside the theater entrance.
Iyad Burnat, the Palestinian leader of the Popular Committees Against the Wall and the Israeli Occupation, said, "Juliano
Mer-Khamis
embodied the uncompromising struggle for freedom and for dignity. Both
parts of his life's work were seamlessly joined. His art was inseparable
from his political commitment. The dignity and humanity which his art
sustained were just as important to Palestinian resilience-sumud-as his
explicitly political work. His life was tragically cut short but he
nevertheless managed to live a life full with purpose and meaning."
As we grieve Juliano's untimely loss, we wish to gather the
Boston/Cambridge
community to remember his most remarkable cinematic achievement,
"Arna's Children" (2003) among the best films ever made on
Palestine/Israel. The film won the "Best Documentary Feature" 2004 at the Tribeca Film Festival.
A brief memorial will precede the film.
The Friends of the Freedom Theatre in New York have made the short "The
Freedom Theatre Today" (15-20 min) available in order to celebrate the
project's continuing vibrance; it will be screened following "Arna's
Children."
Co-sponsored by the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University and the
Boston
Palestine Film Festival
