Film: West Bank Story November 8, 2007

Cinemagic is delighted to announce the return of our weekly screening programme. Screenings will now take place at our new location in Old Salmiya, above LG Electronics.

You are invited to attend Cinemagic's weekly independent film screening event. The event will take place on Thursday, November 8th, at the Cinemagic Rooftop Venue above LG Electronics, Old Salmiya, and will run between 7:00 p.m – 9:30 p.m.

This week, we will screen short film "West Bank Story", as well as feature length "Divine Intervention".

Ari Sandel's allegorical musical comedy short West Bank Story observes the forbidden romance that blossoms between Israeli soldier David and Palestinian fast food cashier Fatima, who meet and fall for one another, despite the intense rivalry between their parents' competing falafel stands on the tumultuous West Bank. Conflict builds when the pastry machine owned by The Kosher King accidentally edges over onto land owned by The Hummus Hut. This prompts the Palestinians to destroy the machine, and the Israelis retaliate by building a wall between the two properties. In the end, however, love prevails, and the obliteration of both restaurants induces the two families to establish a truce and lay the foundation for future harmony.

Director Elia Suleiman uses a mixture of romantic comedy and quirky humor to shed light on the problems of Palestinians in Yadon Ilaheyya (Divine Intervention). E.S. (Suleiman and his girlfriend Manal Khader), because they live in separate cities, must meet near an Israeli checkpoint. The film is little more than a series of usually comic but occasionally poignant scenes in which Suleiman and others must confront any number of Israeli nemeses. Suleiman's second film, Divine Interventions, was screened in competition at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

For its part, Cinemagic Kuwait, is organizing these events as part of its efforts to contribute to the development of an internationally competitive Kuwaiti audio-visual production industry, partly by bringing the filmmakers and audiences together and by Increasing the public's interest in – and appreciation for – the art of filmmaking.

As always, attendance is free of charge (but seating is limited). Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Yazan Al Ghazzawi

PR & Marketing Manager

Kuwait Cinemagic

Tel: (+965) 574 3253

Cell: (+965) 722 2416

[email protected]

Official Website: http://www.cinemagics.com