Yalla Parkour
Spring Grants 2021 - Development Stage
Areeb Zuaiter / Feature Documentary / Sweden, Jordan / 75 min / Original Language: Arabic, Swedish / Interests: Coming of age, Sports, Youth, Immigration, Identity, Creative Documentary
Synopsis
Now that his return is unattainable, Ahmad reflects on his undetermined journey out. Despite the blockade that troubles Gaza, Ahmad aspires to become an international Parkour champion. But the reality of his surroundings pulls him an inch away each day. When his friend survives a detrimental injury, Ahmad’s far-fetched dream of building a Parkour Academy in Gaza becomes a necessity. Ahmad endures eight visa rejections and an impossible exit through his city’s border. Ultimately, Ahmad flees to Sweden. With that, he departs instability to security but also community to individualism. There is a sharp contrast between the atmosphere he currently resides in versus the one he left. Ahmad’s surroundings are empty, but his devices and memories are full of people. Will Ahmad continue living in Gaza through the screen? Or will he find a way to physically connect with his family, his friends, and achieve the goals he has for Gaza?
Credits
- Director
- Areeb Zuaiter
- Screenwriter
- Areeb Zuaiter
- Producer
- Basel Mawlawi
- Production Company
- Kinana Films
About the Director
Areeb Zuaiter is a multinational filmmaker whose work focuses on art, identity, and social issues. Across her work, and through her continuous support to voices from the Arab world, Areeb maintains the goal of promoting dialogue, creating impact and bringing change. Areeb’s previous nominations include Annecy International Film Festival in France, Aichi Friendship Festival in Japan, Alexandria Festival, and Sony’s Outstanding Thesis Award in the USA. Areeb’s debut short won the Jury Prize at the European Film Festival in Lebanon. Her latest short, 'Colors of Resistance', gained awards from festivals around the world including Concepción Independent Film Awards, Colorado International Activism Film Festival and Spotlight Documentary Film Awards. While developing her debut feature documentary, 'Yalla Parkour', Areeb participated in workshops such as EAVE, the DocCelerator Lab, DFI, RFC and INA. Alongside growing her career as a filmmaker, Areeb works as an adjunct professor in Washington, D.C.
Contacts
-
Main Contact
Basel Mawlawi
- Company:
- Kinana Films AB
- Phone:
- +46 40 643 53 93
- Email:
- basel@kinanafilms.com