HomeCulture & Art Films Screening and Film Discussions at Upcoming ADC Convention
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is pleased to be screening three films at the upcoming Convention, “Securing the Principles of Liberty.” The Convention will take place June 13-15, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel located in Washington, DC. Immediately following the screening of each movie, ADC Communications Director Laila Al-Qatami will be hosting a half hour discussion of the movie with special guests for each film.
The films to be shown are: A DREAM IN DOUBT, with special guests Tami Yeager and Preetmohan Singh; ARNA’S CHILDREN, with special guests Juliano Mer Khams and Mervat Aiash; and KNOWLEDGE IS THE BEGINNING, with special guest Mariam Said. Please see below for detailed information for each film.
Additionally, on Saturday, June 14 from 4-5:30pm there will be joint panel discussion on films with Mariam Said, Juliano Mer Khamis, and Mervat Aiash.
FILM SCREENINGS
A DREAM IN DOUBT: SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 10am-11:30am Film by: Tami Yeager and Preetmohan Singh Invited Special Guests: Tami Yeager and Preetmohan Singh
“A Dream in Doubt” is an immigrant story of survival as a wave of deadly hate crimes terrorizes the Sikh American community in Phoenix, Arizona following the attacks of September 11. The hour long documentary follows the family of Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh American who was killed in the first post September 11 hate crime murder. Mr. Singh Sodhi was killed at his gas station by a man who claimed he was rooting out a terrorist. “A Dream in Doubt” travels to Sodhi’s hometown and talks with Rana Sodhi, Balbir’s brother, to explore post-September 11 America from his perspective, telling a personal story of national tragedy, murder, family, community, and the American Dream.
ARNA'S CHILDREN: SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2:15pm-4pm Film by: Juliano Mer Khamis Confirmed Special Guests: Juliano Mer Khamis and Mervat Aiash
Arna’s Children tells the story of a theatre group that was established by Arna Mer Khamis. In the 1950s a Jewish woman named Arna married a Palestinian Arab, Saliba Khamis. On the West Bank, she opened an alternative education system for children whose regular life was disrupted by the Israeli occupation. The theatre group that she started engaged children from Jenin, helping them to express their everyday frustrations, anger, bitterness and fear. Arna's son Juliano, director of this film, was also one of the directors of Jenin's theatre. With his camera, he filmed the children during rehearsal periods from 1989 to 1996. Then, several years later Juliano returns to see what has happened to the children and struggles to understand the choices they made. Eight years ago, the theatre was closed and life became static and paralyzed. Shifting back and forth in time, the film reveals the tragedy and horror of lives trapped by the circumstances of the Israeli occupation.
KNOWLEDGE IS THE BEGINNING: SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 10am-12:30pm Film by: Paul Smaczny Confirmed Special Guest: Mariam Said
Knowledge is the Beginning is the story of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, where young Arabs and Jews perform and live side by side. It is a film about what music can do; the way it can transcend cultural barriers, bring people together, defeat prejudice and overcome religious and political differences. It also demonstrates the problems that crop up occasionally and how music can help people from different points of view find common ground. For Daniel Barenboim, founder of the ensemble, the orchestra is a symbol for what could be achieved in the Middle East.
To reserve a hotel room, see: http://www.grandwashington.hyatt.com/ After you enter the date in the box enter G-AAAC in the group and you qualify for the low rate of $129/night or call 1-800-233-1234 and ask the agent for the "ADC 2008 Annual Conference" discounted rate.
Culture & Art 
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is pleased to be screening three films at the upcoming Convention, “Securing the Principles of Liberty.” The Convention will take place June 13-15, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel located in Washington, DC. Immediately following the screening of each movie, ADC Communications Director Laila Al-Qatami will be hosting a half hour discussion of the movie with special guests for each film.