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(Middle Eastern Influence/Culturally-Inclined) Saturday, Sept 5 at 2:00pm Total Runtime: 87 mins Location: L'artichaut Holiday in Abkhazia / Abkhazia (Georgia), Russia, Italy, Germany/Germany (Directed by Fabian Muir) 8 mins - 2009 - Filmmaker Notes: Unfortunately the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia and Abkhazia broke out the very day we arrived. Abkhazia is in any event a very sensitive region, but the fighting in the mountains and some beachside bombings made it a particularly touchy time to be wandering around as foreigners armed with a video camera, tripod and a mysterious dark suitcase. Under the circumstances, the occasional enquiries as to whether we were spies, terrorists or barking mad were perfectly understandable. Equally understandable were the looks of incredulity when we explained we were filming a love story. Ultimately, however, we were treated with the greatest goodwill by Abkhaz and Russians alike, and for that we owe them our gratitude. We hope the region will now be able to enjoy a sustained period of stability. Special thanks go to the nameless FSB agent at the border who, after lengthy deliberation, finally allowed us to enter Abkhazia despite the conflict, thus making the film possible in the first place. - World Premiere Noor / Jordan/Jordan, USA (Directed by Razan Ghalayini, 1st Project) 24 mins - 2008 - Noor's birthday plans take a turn when she and her mother get caught in an Israeli Defense Forces imposed curfew. (Les idees d'anniversaire de Noor changent rapidement quand elle et sa mere se font rammener par l'armee isralienne.)- European Premiere Ruth / Isreal (Directed by Keren Abitan) 55 mins - 2008 - During the days of the Israeli withdrawal from the settlements in the Gaza strip, when the residents of the Katif bloc are uniting to fight for its existence, Ruth, a young teenager from the settlement, is searching for excitement. When Ruth meets Erez, a photojournalist sent to cover the events of the disengagement, she realizes that she doesn't belong anywhere. - French Premiere Strasbourg International Film Festival on Facebook
*Schedule, dates, locations and events subject to change without notice. 
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