From Ground Zero is a compilation of 22 short films made by Gazans. There are no mentions of Israel and no mentions of Hamas. Rather, the films are an attempt to remind people that most citizens of Gaza, innocent victims of war, are human beings with lives, hopes, dreams and worries. The project was initiated by filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, who was born in Gaza and grew up in a refugee camp.
The short films are a mixture of fictional narratives and documentaries. One of the most notable is Soft Skin, directed by Khamis Masharawi. As art therapy for traumatized children, the teacher helps them learn how to make their own animated films. One little girl recounts that her one-year-old brother can only say one word, “Daddy” and make the sound on an ambulance. Other children speak about how their mother wrote their names on different parts of their bodies, so that if they are killed by bombing, their names will be known. When the teacher asks the children what their film should be about, writing on their bodies or the boy and the ambulance sounds, she asks Hassan, who replies, “Do what you want as long as I’m the hero.”
In 24 Hours by Alaa Damo, we meet Mosab Al Nadi, who was hit by bombing three times in one 24-hour period. One of the earlier ones injured his eye. The third bombing killed both his parents and several other family members, including children. We see him being pulled out of the rubble from this bombing and, sure enough, his eye is still injured, but, unlike the other members of his family, he is alive.
In Offerings by Mustafa Al Nabih, writer Diana El Shinawy describes a life “full of tents and sad people.” Viewing the 22 films together, I would add “rubble.” There appears to be a constant search for and conservation of water. And a need of electricity to recharge cell phones. Charged phones can be a matter of life or death. In the case of Mosab Al Hadr, we see him reach out by phone to a cousin for help after he is pinned underneath rubble.
