Gaza: The Palestinian documentary film "Revolutionaries Never Die" has secured the Cin©+OCS Special Jury Prize in the Concorso Cineasti del Presente competition at the 79th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the film, produced by Palestinian producer Sami Saeed and directed by Mohanad Yaqubi, was awarded following its world premiere at the festival. The documentary's official selection and the critical and media attention it garnered have significantly bolstered its international launch and distribution prospects.
The award includes a CHF 25,000 promotional campaign on Cin©+OCS channels, coinciding with the film's theatrical release in France. This will provide the film with broader opportunities to reach European audiences, enhancing its visibility and impact.
Produced by Idioms Film with the support of international partners and distributed by Square Eyes, "Revolutionaries Never Die" examines the legacy of the late Lebanese filmmaker and journalist Jocelyne Saab. It delves into the region's memory and political history, utilizing rare archival materials from the 1970s and 1980s. The film revisits pivotal moments in the Palestinian Revolution, the Lebanese Civil War, and global solidarity movements, probing the endurance of revolutionary ideas and imagery.
This accolade marks a significant achievement for contemporary Palestinian cinema, highlighting its presence on the international stage. Through engaging with archives and memory, the film rethinks Palestinian and Arab history and explores the intersection of art and liberation movements.