AN AWARD-WINNING documentary will be screened in Marlow, the first cultural event organised by a local activist group.

Where Olive Trees Weep, a film produced and directed by Maurizio Benazzo and Zaya Benazzo, will be held at Christ Church URC in Marlow on Sunday, September 22, at 6.30pm.

Organised by the Marlow Palestine Solidarity group and described as “beautiful, poignant and heartbreaking,” Where Olive Trees Weep is centred around the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation, particularly in the West Bank. The film explores themes of loss, trauma and “the quest for justice in Palestinians”.

Ahed Tamimi in 'Where Olive Trees Weep'Ahed Tamimi in 'Where Olive Trees Weep' (Image: 'Where Olive Trees Weep' film)

A spokesperson for the Marlow Palestine Solidarity group, said the screening is particularly important in Marlow as it would be the group’s first cultural event.

The spokesperson said: “We are a local, pro-Palestinian residents’ group that has only been formed fairly recently in light of the most recent Gaza war and appalled by the ongoing human right violations being streamed on our screens on a daily basis.

“Our group’s aim is to raise awareness for Palestine in our local community, advocate for human rights for all, as well as educate and motivate people to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

“It is the first pro-Palestinian group ever to be formed in Marlow and the film screening we are organising on 22nd September is our first cultural event.

Dr Gabor Maté, Holocaust survivor, physician and author in 'Where Olive Trees Weep'Dr Gabor Maté, Holocaust survivor, physician and author in 'Where Olive Trees Weep' (Image: 'Where Olive Trees Weep' film)

“We are a very diverse and multi-faith group consisting of people who are actively involved in local community actions and charities.”

Relevance to current events

Speaking of the relevance of Where Olive Trees Weep to current events, the Marlow Palestine Solidarity group spokesperson explained: “Without knowing the past, one cannot understand, nor explain, the present.

“The post-Holocaust Israeli perspective is very established and well-known among western audiences and societies through history teaching, tv, cinema, literature etc., but very little is actually known about the Palestinian perspective.

“How did the Palestinians experience the British hand-over of their land for the establishment of the state of Israel?

“How did they feel when 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes and lands, when 78% of historic Palestine was captured and 15,000 Palestinians were killed in 1948?

Hassan Mizher, a high school student from Dheisheh refugee camp who was shot and paralysed while going to school in 2018, in 'Where Olive Trees Weep.'Hassan Mizher, a high school student from Dheisheh refugee camp who was shot and paralysed while going to school in 2018, in 'Where Olive Trees Weep.' (Image: 'Where Olive Trees Weep' film)

“How do they feel when even today more illegal settlements are being built or expanded in the little remaining Palestinian land despite numerous UN violations and disrespect to any international laws?”

They added: “As a pro-Palestinian initiative, it is therefore crucially important for us to show the level and intensity of the decades-long suffering, trauma and injustice imposed on the Palestinian people through Israel’s military occupation, illegal settler colonialism, systematic discrimination and abuse. Only then can the public begin to understand today’s events.

“Showing a film that focuses on the Palestinian side of the story, can and will help the British public form a more balanced and accurate view of today’s situation.

“The 1948 Nakba [it means’ catastophe’, a term used by Palestinians for the loss of their homeland in 1948] and today are not separate events, but an ongoing process of Palestinian displacement and suffering.”

The Marlow Palestine Solidarity group said they “warmly welcome all members of the Marlow community to come and watch this eye-opening and heartbreaking film and share their views and experience with us.

“We also wanted to extend our very warm thanks to the Christ Church URC in Marlow for giving us this opportunity to host this event at their premises.”

'Where Olive Trees Weep' film screening poster.'Where Olive Trees Weep' film screening poster. (Image: Marlow Palestine Solidarity group)

Award-winning documentary

According to IMDB, the film has won a total of five awards so far, which are as follows:

  • Chichester International Film Festival – 2024 Audience Award winner for ‘Best Documentary’
  • Melbourne Documentary Film Festival – 2024 Best International Director winner for ‘Best Director’
  • Filmmakers United International Film Festival (FUIFF) - 2024 Annual Award winner for ‘Best Film on Human Issue’
  • Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival – 2024 Festival Award winner for ‘Feature Documentary’
  • Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival – 2024 Award of Excellence winner for ‘Best Feature Documentary’

'Where Olive Trees Weep' Trailer

View the trailer of the film below.

The film screening is a free public event with donations of £5 per person welcomed, to cover the costs towards the organisation of the event.

Those that would like to attend must pre-register in advance here: https://bit.ly/4eiHgoX

Address: Christ Church URC, 18 Oxford Rd, Marlow SL7 2NL