HABIBI HUSSEIN

When German director Marcus Vetter made the documentary CINEMA JENIN (2008), Alex Bakri was not only a cameraman on the set but also shot his own film. HABIBI HUSSEIN tells the story of how a cinema is rebuilt in West Bank’s Jenin, initiated by Vetter, from the perspective of projectionist Hussein. Despite having 40 years’ experience, Hussein is increasingly being pushed out of the project. Bakri’s film is an eye-opening and uncomfortable counter-narrative that reflects on power imbalances and raises questions about Western aid and its practices.