Rashid Masharawi Movies
- 2009
A family hangs on the hope of finding a loved one during a time of chaos and change in this drama from director Mohamed al-Daradji. In 1991, Ahmed (Yasser Taleeb) was a Kurdish boy only a few months old when his father was taken prisoner during the war in the Persian Gulf, and no one has heard from him since. Ahmed's family has long believed he might still be held in Northern Iraq, and as Saddam Hussein is driven from power by American forces in 2003, Ahmed and his grandmother Um-Ibrahim (Shezhad Hussein) travel to the North in hopes of finding the missing member of the family. Twelve-year-old Ahmed would like to find his father, but the long and wearing journey is taxing for a boy of twelve years, and his impatient outbursts often try Um-Ibrahim's patience. In time, Ahmed and Um-Ibrahim find a valuable ally in their search in Musa (Bashir al-Majid), a former member of Saddam's elite guard left in limbo after the liberation of Iraq. Son Of Babylon received its North American premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
A taxi-driving judge attempts to keep his promise to return home with a birthday cake for his young daughter while contending with everyday life in occupied territory and doing his best to keep unruly passengers in check. Abu Laila is a judge, though despite being invited to practice in Palestine bureaucracy has prevented him from procuring his papers. Today is his daughter's birthday, and if he can somehow maintain his sanity amidst the chaos of the outside world he plans to buy her a cake so they can celebrate later that evening. Cigarettes are banned from Abu's cab, as are AK-47s. And while contending with the occupiers harass him at every turn is no easy task, Abu's greatest challenge is often convincing his passengers to buckle their seat belts. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mohammad Bakri, Areen Omari, (more)
- 2002
Jabir (Gassan Abbas of Amos Gitai's Yom Yom) is a middle aged Palestinian man who lives on the West Bank with his wife, Sana (Areen Omari) and makes his living as a freelance film exhibitor. He travels around in his old truck with an ancient projector, screening films for Palestinian audiences, often children. Despite the problems inherent in traveling through the occupied territories, and the frequent equipment breakdowns, Jabir is determined to continue his work, though even his friends question the importance of his showing movies. Sana is an emergency medical worker. Though she rides in an ambulance, she encounters many of the same problems as Jabir in navigating checkpoints manned by Israeli soldiers. A schoolteacher, Rabab (Reem Ilo) asks Jabir to screen a film for the children in her class, but they live in Jerusalem, and it is forbidden for Jabir to enter the city. Complicating matters further, the home of Rabab and her elderly mother, Um Ibrahim (Najah Abu Al-Heja), has been taken over by Israeli settlers, along with the courtyard where Jabir wants to project his films. To make matters worse, Sana is beginning to feel neglected because of Jabir's obsessive devotion to his work. Ticket to Jerusalem, written and directed by Rashid Masharawi, was shown at New Directors/New Films in 2003. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gassan Abbas, Areen Omari, (more)
- 1996
Set in Palestine just before the signing of the peace accord between PLO leader Arafat and Israel's prime minister Rabin, this drama chronicles the ways in which the formal agreement affects the lives of Palestinians living in a tiny, unnamed village on the Gaza Strip. Main characters include the always upbeat former policeman Abu Said, currently a cotton candy vendor and his two cynical sons Siad, who had just been arrested by Israelis for no real reason, and the unemployed Said. Oum Said is the mother and she wants her boys to live peacefully and begin raising families and stop this nonsense about politics. Meanwhile beautiful young woman Sabah dreams of her future. Finally there is the town eccentric, Haifa who wanders about. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1994
The effects of a curfew upon one extended-family during a single day are chronicled in this drama set in the Gaza Community. It begins as a normal day in Gaza. Children are playing. Radar plays with them. Suddenly the Israelis announce an open-ended curfew over the loud-speakers. Everyone quickly scurries to their homes. Radar lives with his mother, his ailing father, his brother and his wife and daughter, and his angry brother Akram. The women keep things running smoothly. They have no idea how long the curfew will last and are concerned about having enough food. Radar is sent out to get some. His mother wonders if she dares stepping outside to hang the laundry. Neighbors communicate with shutters, and by peering over walls. At one point a baby is born. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Na'ila Zayaad, Younis Younis, (more)
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