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Children of Shatila

Children of Shatila

  • Overview
  • Crew
  • Recommendations

Status

Released

Release Date

Jan 2, 1998

Runtime

0h 50m

Genres

Documentary, History

User Score

69%

Original Title

أطفال شاتيلا

Production Companies

Arab Film Distribution, Nour Productions

Director

Mai Masri

Description

Many people first became aware of the Shatila refugee camp in Lebanon after the shocking and horrific Sabra-Shatila massacre that took place there in 1982. Located in Beirut's "belt of misery," the camp is home to 15,000 Palestinians and Lebanese who share a common experience of displacement, unemployment and poverty. Fifty years after the exile of their grandparents from Palestine, the children of Shatila attempt to come to terms with the reality of being refugees in a camp that has survived massacre, siege and starvation. Director Mai Masri focuses on two Palestinian children in the camp: Farah, age 11 and Issa, age 12. When these children are given video cameras, the story of the camp evolves from their personal narratives as they articulate the feelings and hopes of their generation.