Hamas Film Launches New Cultural Resistance Phase

Hamas Film Launches New Cultural Resistance Phase

Hamas has screened its first feature film in Gaza, Al Arabiya reports.

The film was set and filmed in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Amid the action, an actor declares, "To kill Israeli soldiers is to worship God."

The title, "Imad Agel," refers to a Palestinian killed by Israeli troops who blamed him for killing 13 soldiers and settlers, according to Al Arabiya, and the film focuses on the founding of Hamas in the 80s.

Four of the film's actors were killed in last December's Gaza conflict.

The Telegraph reports that the film is in line with a new movement of resistance by Hamas which they refer to as a "culture of resistance".

Hamas officials said their members were tired of ineffective rocket launches, and the group was switching to engage in a more cultural struggle.

Fathi Hamad, the interior minister for Hamas, told AP that, "It's Hamaswood instead of Hollywood," and emphasized that Hamas wants to make quality art.

Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar wrote the screenplay and produced the movie.

He told reporters that "resistance can be a word, a poem."

Hamas owns a TV channel, a radio station and a number of newspapers.

The film's director told Al Arabiya that he hopes to air the film at the famous Cannes film festival in southern France.

Get HuffPost World On Facebook and Twitter!

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot