In the heart of the Palestinian city Jenin stands the ruin of an old cinema, which has been closed since the first Intifada due to growing Islamic Fundamentalism. But now, an exceptional vision comes true.

Cinema Jenin

The cinema documentary CINEMA JENIN by Aleksei Bakri and Marcus Vetter, who won the German Film Prize for HEART OF JENIN in 2010, tells the adventurous story of the reconstruction of a particular cultural site during the state of war. It tells of people and their aspiration to make a dream come true  – a dream no one believed in any longer.

Against all odds Palestinian, German and international volunteers try to revive the cinema of Jenin, a city in the Westbank, which is known in Israel as one of the most dangerous places in the world. In the end CINEMA JENIN – THE FILM is also a comedy of life itself.

Soon, first major steps of the reconstruction are done. But then the delivery dates of urgently needed building material and cinema equipment from abroad cannot get confirmed. At the last possible moment the containers do get released by the Israeli customs, and Cinema Jenin can keep up the opening date as planned!

On August 5th Cinema Jenin opens its doors to the public!

The festive opening, to which Palestinian president Dr. Salam Fayyad and the human rights activist Bianca Jagger have announced their attendance, is followed by three days with films, concerts and a diverse event programme.

Find out more about the opening of Cinema Jenin http://www.cinemajenin.org

CINEMA JENIN – THE FILM is a production of BOOMTOWN MEDIA, FILMPERSPEKTIVE and CINEPHIL (Israel) in co-production with SWR/ BR/ ARTE/ YES TV, SUNDANCE Channel (USA), SENATOR film production, and CINEMA JENIN (Palsetine). The film gets distributed by SENATOR FILM.

CINEMA JENIN – THE FILM ist funded by the MFG Baden-Württemberg, MEDIENBOARD Berlin-Branburg, German Federal Film Fund, SUNDANCE INSTITUTE (USA) and the RABINOVICH ASSOCIATION (Israel).