San Diego Arab Film Festival to Screen
The Tower at Special Fall Screening on November 2, 2019
On November 2, the San Diego Arab Film Festival will present a special screening of The Tower, a beautifully animated film that tells the story of Wardi, a young Palestinian girl who lives with her family in the Lebanese refugee camp where she was born. Her beloved great-grandfather, Sidi, was one of the first people to settle in the camp after being exiled from his home and homeland, Palestine, in 1948. When Sidi gives Wardi the key to his old house back in the Galilee, she fears he may have lost hope of someday returning home. As she searches for Sidi’s lost hope around the camp, she collects her family’s testimonies, from one generation to the next. An uplifting film that captures the story of Palestine through four generations.
Directed by Norwegian filmmaker Mats Grorund, the film took 8 years to make and is based on his experience of living for a year in the Burj el Barajneh refugee camp near Beirut where he taught English and animation. To see photos of set design and construction, click here.
Note to Parents: The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival recommends this film for ages 15 and up, noting issues regarding language, mature themes and violence.
A complete Palestinian meal will be available before the film. The meal will include vegetarian and meat option plus dessert, water, coffee and tea. Film admission price is $15 general and $10 student. Dinner is $12 if purchased on line, $15 at the door.
On-line ticket sales will close at Noon on November 2 unless they sell out sooner. Remaining ickets will be available at the door until sold out.
The Tower has won these awards, among others:
- Best Animated Feature, Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, 2018
- Liv Ullman Peace Prize (to director), Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, 2018
- Special Jury Award, Monstra Lisbon Animated Film Festival, 2019
- Best Soundtrack, Monstra Lisbon Animated Film Festival, 2019