„THE SUFFERING GRASSES“ (documentary and discussion on Syria) on September 18, 2013, at 7:30pm, ZK/U, Siemensstraße 27-49, Berlin Moabit ‚14km – the shortest distance between North Africa and Europe‘ e.V. and the ZK/U cordially invite you to the third event of our Arab Film and Discussion Series. On September 18, 2013, at 7:30pm we will be screening the film „THE SUFFERING GRASSES: when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers” (2012, 52mins, Language: Arabic/English with German subtitles) and look forward to a subsequent discussion on the situation in Syria. The documentary by Lara Lee depicts the current civil war in Syria, reflected in interviews, pictures, animated sequences and reports about the ongoing occurrences. The film focuses on the situation of the civil society which is often forced either to join the violence or to flee the country. The film also addresses the role of other countries such as Russia, China or the US in the conflict. Against the background of the film we invite you to take the opportunity and discuss the Syrian civil war, the tensions inside the Syrian society and the role of external actors with Syrians living in Moabit as well as with Hannah Wettig from “Adopt A Revolution”. Can external actors contribute to solving the conflict or not? How do people in Syria think about an eventual international intervention? How could the conflict be solved otherwise? (Presented by: Anja Gebel, 14km e.V.). Attendance is free, donations are welcome. 14km Arab Film and Discussion Series In regular intervals we screen films which deal with different Arab countries and subsequently discuss the films and current social and political situation in the respective countries with guests from Berlin Moabit as well as with country experts, always trying to make a link to North-South relationships. Our Arab Film and Discussion Series started on 22 August 2013 with an evening on Egypt. Our second event (on 4 September 2013) dealt with displacement and migration in/from Palestine.                      

Our second Arab Film and Discussion Event was again well attended – on the 4 of September at 7:30pm around 40 participants had arrived at ZK/U in order to watch the film “Turtle’s rage”and to subsequently discuss the film and the topic of Palestinian displacement and migration with our four guests. The film approaches the topic on a very personal level. Young German filmmaker Pary El-Qalqili attempts to get closer to her Palestinian father and understand his life history through many questions and a joint trip to Palestine, simultaneously shedding light on his broken dreams and following his difficult search for home and identity. In the following talk with Musa El-Qalqili (main character of the film), Abdallah Hajjir (Imam at Haus der Weisheit in Moabit), Osama Hajjir (student of international business from Moabit) and Bernhard Schäfer (Joint Initiative on International Humanitarian Law in the Middle East) the discussion centred around the role of displacement and migration in the lives of Palestinians and in particular in the individual and family histories of the present persons with Palestinian migration background, and the different ways of dealing with it. Against the background of the Middle East conflict the audience also brought up the question how Germany could use its political influence more effectively for improving the situation of Palestinian refugees. The event was presented by Anja Gebel (14km e.V.), we would like to thank Johanna Kramer (intern at 14km e.V.) and the ZKU team for their organisational help and support. We thank the audience for their participation!              

„Turtle’s rage“ (Biography / Documentary and Discussion) On 4 September 2013 at 7:30pm, ZK/U, Siemensstraße 27-49, Berlin Moabit 14km – the shortest distance between North Africa and Europe e.V. and the ZK/U cordially invite you to the second event of our Arab Film and Discussion Series. On 4 September 2013 at 7:30pm we will be showing “Schildkrötenwut” (or “Turtle’s rage”, 2012, 69mins, language: German/Arabic with German subtitles) and are looking forward to an interesting discussion about Palestine. The documentary by Pary El-Qalqili tells the story of her father, a Palestinian living in German. The author tries to understand why her father left his family in Berlin in order to build a new life in Palestine, but came back years later and since then is living in the basement of the house, withdrawn like a turtle in its shell. Through many questions and a joint trip to Palestine Pary El-Qalqili aims to find out more about her father, and at the same time uncovers his inner forlornness and sheds light on his difficult search for identity. Against the background of the film you have the opportunity to discuss the situation of Palestinian migrants and questions of identity with Moabiters with Palestinian background and Musa El-Qalqili, the director’s father and main character of the film. We would also like to talk about the (actual and potential) German role in this context: What does Germany do to mediate in the Middle East conflict and to improve the situation of Palestinians? What could the German society do in this regard? (The discussion will take place in German. Presenter: Anja Gebel, 14km e.V) Attendance is free, donations are welcome. -- In regular intervals we screen films which deal with different Arab countries and subsequently discuss the films and current social and political situation in the respective countries with guests from Berlin Moabit as well as with country experts, always trying to make a link to North-South relationships. Our first event of this kind dealt with the social dynamics that have led to the revolution in Egypt in 2011.            

  Our 14km Arabic Film and Discussion Series started successfully with yesterday's screening of "We Are Egypt", followed by a discussion about the film and the current situation in Egypt. We were happy to welcome around 70 guests who had come to watch the documentary by Lillie Paquette and discuss with Barbara Bishay from Mayadin Al-Tahrir and Mustafa Fahim, resident of Moabit, in the premises of the former railway depot Moabit. The film documents the 14 months preceding the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. The filmmaker concentrates on the April 6 youth movement but also interviews and presents the views of many other relevant social and political groups, thus tracing in a very informative way the events and dynamics which culminated in the revolution. In the subsequent discussion, Barbara Bishay, who had just come back from a visit to Egypt, gave an impressive account of current events, debates and the atmosphere among the Egyptian population, while Mustafa Fahim assessed the current situation with the distance and expertise of an Egyptian who has been living in Germany for 54 years. The event was presented by Anja Gebel (14km e.V.), Johanna Kramer (intern at 14km e.V.) and the ZK/U team provided their valuable organisational support. We would like to thank all guests for coming and the ZK/U for the awesome cooperation.

  „We Are Egypt – The Story Behind The Revolution“, 22.8.13, at ZK/U Berlin (Siemensstr. 27) (Documentary and Discussion) 14km - the shortest distance between North Africa and Europe e.V. and ZK/U cordially invite you to the first event of our Arab film screenings series. In regular intervals we screen movies dealing with different Arab countries and subsequently discuss the films as well as the social and political situation in the respective country with guests from Moabit as well as with country experts, always making a link to North-South relationships. On August 22, 2013, at 7.30 pm, we start the series with the screening of "We Are Egypt – The Story Behind The Revolution” (2013, 82min, Language: English/Arabic with English subtitles), followed by a discussion. Location is ZK/U, Berlin Moabit, Siemensstr. 27-49. For directions klick here. The documentary by young US American film maker Lillie Paquette documents the 14 months preceding the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. Featuring an impressive number of personal interviews, many recordings in Egypt and detailed background information, it describes the (still relevant) political dynamics, the accumulated grievances of the population and the growing demands for social and political change that finally culminated in the overthrow of the Mubarak dictatorship in January 2011. At the same time, the film highlights the dubious role of the USA in the political affairs of Egypt. After the screening, and against the background of the film, the audience has the opportunity to discuss Egypt’s current situation with Egypt experts from Moabit as well as with Barbara Bishay from Mayadin Al-Tahrir (presented by Anja Gebel, 14km e.V.). Attendance is free, voluntary donations are most welcome.