Back Last night, a group of us attended Peace it Together 2008’s World Premiere Film Screening held at the Stanley Theatre in Vancouver. Wow! What an evening! We were treated to eight short films created by 30 Palestinian, Israeli, and Canadian youth during this summer’s Peace it Together camp held on Bowen Island. But we were also treated to something more – messages of hope, inspiration, and transformation from the youth themselves.
Having re-branded Peace it Together over the last year, we were aware of the non-profit’s mission: to create a generation of creative peace-makers through a program of dialogue, conflict-resolution, and filmmaking. However, seeing the films and hearing the youth speak about their experiences and films, gave us a much deeper understanding of Peace it Together’s ability to change attitudes and lives.
Working in mixed-cultural groups, the youth created films about how the Palestinian-Israeli conflict affects their lives. From the hilarious animated short “Listen Up” and the contrasting worlds of “Freedom Is” to the powerful documentary “My Enemy,” and intense drama “Checkpoint of Humanity,” the result was a mix of films that were insightful, funny, poignant, and deeply moving. In many cases it was hard to believe these films were created in three short weeks – and by novice filmmakers at that.
But most impressive was the youth themselves, bravely sharing their fears and hopes with one another and now with an audience around the world through their films. Through the relationships they forged over the last three weeks and the work they’ve done to collaborate both artistically and personally, these young people show all of us that peace is possible, that hope is alive. It was a remarkable evening - and one we won’t soon forget.
For more information about Peace if Together, and where the films will be screened next, go to www.peaceittogether.ca
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