VIRTUAL GLOBAL LAUNCH: UNITED NATIONS
Friday, 21 February 2025
9:00am EST (New York Time)
UN Global YouTube: ?
UN WebTV:
On Friday, 21 February 2025, the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council - dedicated to advancing UN global causes through the transformative power of storytelling, will present an event featuring excerpts from the 2025 Oscar-shortlisted International Feature Film, FROM GROUND ZERO.? The programme will be broadcasted on the global channels of the United Nations - UN Web TV and UN YouTube.
FROM GROUND ZERO was filmed during the devastating war in Gaza, during which ¨C according to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) - over 48,000 Palestinians have been reportedly killed since October 7th, 2023 - the vast majority of them children, women and the elderly.? And many more are feared missing under the rubble. Sadly, 273 UNRWA colleagues have also been killed since the war began.
In under two hours, the film weaves together 22 short films created by 22 courageous Palestinian filmmakers living and surviving in Gaza over this past year.? While pulling from the rubble of their homes and their cities, these filmmakers have come together to share these stories with us ¨C mixing dramatic storytelling, documentary, and animation. FROM GROUND ZERO is a moving and compelling story about resilience and the human spirit.? The very existence of this film is remarkable, given the dangerous circumstances that existed on the ground at the time of filming.? It is a portrayal of resilience and the human spirit that explores the importance of storytelling in a powerful way.
On this occasion, the event will be opened with remarks delivered by H.E. Mr. Riyad H.?Mansour, Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations.? In addition, remarks by Director Rashid Masharawi will be featured.
Movies hold the unique power to promote universal ideals, principles, and values so deeply enshrined by the United Nations - including peace, development, respect for human rights, cultural appreciation, the dignity of the human person, and equal rights for all. Founded at the United Nations Headquarters by Brenda Vongova, the UN Movie Society is committed to championing the goals and values of the United Nations through the universal language of motion pictures.
PROGRAMME
UN Movie Society
of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
Opening Remarks
H.E. Mr. Riyad H.?Mansour
Ambassador, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations
Excerpts FROM GROUND ZERO
SOFT SKIN ¨C by Khamis Masharawi
SORRY CINEMA ¨C by Ahmed Hassouna
24 HOURS ¨C by Alaa Damo
Closing Remarks
Rashid Masharawi, Director of FROM GROUND ZERO
?
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SPECIAL THANKS
UN Department of Global Communications
Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations
H.E. Ms. Feda M.?Abdelhady
Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations
Masharawi Fund for Films and Filmmakers in Gaza
Coorigines Production
Watermelon Pictures
Kenza Fourati
Andreas Damianou
Firas Kayal
Ziad Ayad
Stephan Occenad, Assistant
Rebecca Dixuan Bai
Video Editor, UN Movie Society
Opening and Closing Music:
UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
MOHAMMED FLAYFEL (1899 - 1986) Mawtini
Hana Mundiya (Violinist), Naoko Nakajima (Violinist), Florrie Marshall (Violist), Jakob Taylor (Cellist), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
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