The 11th Peloponnese International Documentary Festival, honoring memory and words as an act of resistance, presents on Saturday, November 29th, at 22:00, a special evening dedicated to Palestinian poets Refaat Alareer and Mosab Abu Toha.
The event combines film screening with musical-theatrical performance, creating a bridge of empathy and remembrance.
Part I: Documentary Screening
The evening will begin with the screening of the documentary:
"Free Words: A Poet from Gaza"
- Duration: 24’
- Director: Abdullah Harun Ilhan (Egypt, Türkiye)
- Director's Presence: The director will be present to discuss with the audience.
Synopsis: A documentary film about Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha and his life in Gaza. The film chronicles his journey, his art as a form of resistance and hope, and his experiences with oppression, including his temporary detention, subsequent release, and exile from Gaza.
Director Biography (Abdullah Harun Ilhan): Abdullah Harun Ilhan, born in Malatya, Türkiye, is a film director and photographer. His passion for visual arts ignited early, creating his first short film at just eleven. He has over 100 film festival screenings and numerous awards. He graduated first in his class from Bahçeşehir University’s Cinema & Television Department and furthered his studies at the New York Film Academy and Bay Atlantic University. He has participated in exchange programs in the UK, South Korea, and Qatar, contributing to projects in over 65 countries. His experience includes internships at Anadolu Agency (Washington) and TRT, and roles as assistant director. He won "Music Video of the Year" at TRT. He taught at Ibn Haldun University, completing his first master’s in Philosophical Cinema, followed by a second master's in Film Producing at the University of the Arts London. He is currently developing his first feature film.
Part II: Musical-Theatrical Performance
Following the screening is the performance titled:
"If I Must Die, Let it Bring Hope, Let it Be a Tale"
Dedicated to the poet, professor, and activist Refaat Alareer, who was killed by Israeli forces on December 6, 2023.
Organized in collaboration with the Experimental Stage of Kalamata and the Arabic Music Workshop of Dimitris Mikelis.
- Recitation: Dora Kechagia
- Qanun: Dora Boukouvala
Participating Musicians (Arabic Music Workshop): Dimitris Mikelis, Nahed Bissara, Eva Stefanakou, Sofia Gioulia, Roi Karountzou, Dimitris Plakomytis, Kostas Nikolopoulos.
Refaat Alareer (1979–2023)
Refaat Alareer was born in Gaza City. He was a Professor of English Literature at the Islamic University of Gaza and co-founder of "We Are Not Numbers". He edited the anthologies “Gaza Writes Back” and “Gaza Unsilenced”. He was killed in an airstrike along with family members. His final poem, "If I Must Die", became a global symbol of hope and resistance.