Film: Open Bethlehem - preview & interview with director by Melvyn Bragg

There will be a preview screening of Open Bethlehem - followed by an interview with Palestinian director Leila Sansour by broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, a Q&A and reception - on Wednesday 24 September 2014 at 7pm at the Royal Geographical Society, London.

This feature-length documentary captures Bethlehem as it has never been seen before. Set against the backdrop of an increasingly desperate situation in Israel-Palestine, the film shows the ‘little town’ through the eyes of one of its oldest Christian families. Leila Sansour, daughter of the founder of Bethlehem University, returns to her sleepy home town in 2004 after leaving as a teenager for the bright lights of London and New York. Armed with just a camera and an unreliable family car she begins to document the construction of the eight-metre high concrete wall that will eventually surround the city.

Drawn from more than 700 hours of filming over ten years, Open Bethlehem also incorporates rare and fascinating archive footage of historic Bethlehem during the Ottoman and British Mandate eras. Starkly highlighting both the rapidly disappearing Christian population and diverse multi-faith culture.

Melvyn Bragg said: “On my visit in 2012, I was moved by the contrasts Bethlehem presents. This film explores the personal and broader story of a holy city and the struggle to ensure its survival, capturing the experience of life in Bethlehem today.”

Lelia Sansour said: “For most, Bethlehem is myth. For me, it is home and a real place right in the heart of the Middle East. A little town currently fighting for survival. Every day more of Bethlehem is being lost. This is all people talk about in town. All of us want to see Bethlehem open again.”

Channel Four News presenter Jon Snow, described the film as “One of the most remarkable and moving documentaries I have seen about this unreported story. The tragedy of the Palestinians encapsulated in the life of one family and one town – Bethlehem. See the film, then go to Bethlehem and see for yourself.”

View the trailer here: www.openbethlehem.org/open_bethlehem_trailer.mp4

A limited number of tickets are available here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-bethlehem-tickets-11948750033

Leila Sansour is a film-maker, producer and the founder and CEO of Open Bethlehem. Her previous work includes the acclaimed documentary Jeremy Hardy vs. the Israeli Army, described by Guardian critic Peter Bradshaw as “Outstanding … bringing home the situation with more power than any news broadcast.”

The Open Bethlehem initiative aims to raise awareness of life in the town of Bethlehem and works to keep it open. For more information see: www.openbethlehem.org/.