50 min
Ahmad Damen
Documentary
2014 - Palestine
North American Premiere
Featuring Fadi Qattan, Stephen Sizer, Milatios Basal and many more
The documentary Forbidden Pilgrimmage shines a light on the Christians of Palestine and the threats to their survival. For centuries, Christian pilgrims have followed the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land. Presently, more than two million Christian pilgrims visit the Holy annually and the numbers increase every year. However, these tours are primarily organized by Israeli tour operators who steer the tours away from biblical sites in the West Bank and Palestinian communities located in their vicinity. Not only are pilgrims denied from visiting important Christian sites, they are also instructed to fear the Palestinians living in these areas. The result is a drastic reduction in economic activity in towns that were once bustling with visitors. The film shares the passionate views of Palestinian priests, a Christian tour operator and a British writer who expose the discrimination against Palestinians, their places of worship and their Christian history. It also highlights the obstacles faced by Christian pilgrims attempting to visit sacred sites in Palestine.
Co-presented by Beit Zatoun. Faculty for Palestine
Screened with The Salt Fisherman