GAZA SURF CLUB

by Philip Gnadt, Mickey Yamine
  • 2017 Niclas Reed Middleton
  • 2017 Niclas Reed Middleton
  • 2017 Niclas Reed Middleton

    Synopsis

    Gaza – a strip of land with a population of 1.7 million citizens, wedged between Israel and Egypt and isolated from the outside world. 26 miles of coastline with a harbor that no longer services ships. Hardly anything gets into Gaza and even less gets out. The young generation is growing up with very little perspective - occupied and jobless. But against this background there is a small movement.
    Our protagonists are part of the surf community of Gaza City. Round about 40 surfboards have been brought into the country over the past decades with great effort and despite strict sanctions. It is those boards that give them an opportunity to experience a small slice of freedom - between the coastal reminder of a depressing reality and the Israeli-controlled three mile marine border.

    Festivals

    World Premiere: tiff - Toronto International Film Festival, Canada (2016)
    "Best of Fests", IDFA, Netherlands (European Premiere) (2016)
    Hawaii IFF, USA (2016)
    Calgary Underground FF, Canada (2016)
    Honolulu Surf Film Festival, USA (2016)
    Dubai IFF, U.A.E. (2016)
    "Documentary  Competition" Tromsø International Film Fest, Norway (2017)
    "Documentary Competition" Max-Ophüls-Festival, Germany (2017)   
     DocPoint, Finland (2017)
     "Documentary  Competition" Tempo Film Festival, Sweden (2017)
    "Documentary  Competition" Santa Barbara Film Festival, USA (2017)

    Theatrical release in Germany in spring 2017 (Farbfilm)