In the organizer's words:

YALLA PARKOUR

SE/QA/SA/PS 2024 - 89' - OmeU - Director: Areeb Zuaiter

As a four-year-old, Areeb traveled to Gaza and saw the sea for the first time. This moment - the magic of the sea and the smile of her Palestinian mother - left a lasting impression. When the filmmaker sees a video of young men running parkour on the beach in Gaza, nostalgia flares up. The exuberance of the young athletes stands in stark contrast to the explosions that can be seen in the distance. Out of a need to connect with her past, Areeb makes contact with the parkour runners and befriends Ahmed. Together they move through what is left of Gaza, visiting a cemetery, an abandoned shopping center and the remains of an airport. Over time, Ahmed shows Areeb the harshness of life in Gaza and her initial curiosity grows into a deep understanding of the problems he faces. Ahmed's desire to leave his homeland triggers contradictory feelings in Areeb, because she knows the emotional emptiness that such a departure can bring. Areeb's journey down memory lane becomes an exploration of identity, belonging and the painful legacy of a homeland left behind.

As part of the Stranger Than Fiction documentary film festival!