Palestinian cinema producer and director Michael Khalifi withdrew from the jury of the israeli cinema festival “Cinematic” taking place in Tel Aviv, due to the atrocities committed by israeli forces on Palestinian territories, according to Kuwaiti News Agency (KUNA).
In his letter of resignation to the festival chairperson Khalifi said, "the government and people of Israel do not understand that they have transformed from an occupying and oppressive force into a monstrous racist regime, and that the boycott of Israel is called for in all fields, including the arts as well."
At the same time, the letter called on the importance of not boycotting Israeli people and organizations which are opposed the politics of occupation.
Khalifi said that "its not just occupation that is specified, but what occupation paves the way for in regards to war crimes and atrocities".
The letter of resignation also addressed the people of Israel, warning them that although now it is only the Palestinians who are affected by inhumanity and atrocities, soon the Israeli’s will also be affected by the hostile aggression of the Israeli government.
Khalifi who was born in the occupied Palestinian city of Nazareth, 1950, is currently living in the Palestinian city of Ramallah. He studied cinema in Belgium and has shot several films including:
Images From Rich Memories, 1980. It is a Belgian-Dutch production and relies on a dialogue between two women; one of whom is a martyr widow - Romi Farah, a Christian village girl, and the Muslim writer - Sahar Khalifa, a city girl. The movie depicts the daily struggle for both of them to achieve the country's rights and their rights as women as well.
Hebron Marriage, 1987. It is also Belgian-Dutch-French-British-German production that talks about a marriage party in a village under occupation. The Israeli governor insists on attending the party before allowing it. During the party several contradictions appear between the occupation soldiers and the villagers in dealing with land, animal, food and drink. But this does not deny the dialogue between the two parties.
The Anthem of the Stone is the first film on the Palestinian Intifada against the Israeli occupation. It has two parts: the first is an authentication on the ‘Stone Intifada’; the second is narrative on a love story between intellectual Palestinians.
The Story of the Three Jewels is Belgian-French-British-Palestinian production. However, Michael Khalifi's films are authentication ones containing a narrative part, and not long films – Albawaba.com
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