TALE OF THE THREE JEWELS

Youssef, a twelve-year-old Palestinian boy, is a child of the Intifada. He lives with his mother, with his father in prison, and his brother wanted by the Israeli army. Although his life is marked by violence and oppression, Youssef uses his imagination to escape the bleak reality of the refugee camp in which he lives.

One day, while hunting birds, he meets the beautiful Aïda, a young girl and the leader of a children’s gang. Youssef falls in love. To marry Aïda, however, he has to find the three lost diamonds from an old family jewel that the girl’s grandfather brought from South America. How will Youssef manage to leave Gaza and travel to this distant continent?

TALE OF THE THREE JEWELS is a modern fairy tale alternating with scenes depicting the daily reality of life in Gaza under occupation: poverty, violence, imprisonment, limited possibilities, and despair. The dreamlike film shows the sadness of a lost childhood and indicates the necessity of restoring Gaza’s children’s right to dream.

TALE OF THE THREE JEWELS is the first feature film to be shot entirely in Gaza. The cast includes well-known Palestinian actors such as Makram Khouri and Mohammad Bakri. In 1995, the film was selected for the Cannes Film Festival.

The screening of Thursday 16 July is part of BOSCINEMA: an eclectic film programme that focuses on reflection and social engagement. While the world is burning, we build a cinephile community rooted in solidarity. This summer, BOSCINEMA presents four open-air screenings in what is perhaps Antwerp’s cosiest courtyard: the BOStuin.