Open Bethlehem
Directed by Leila Sansour
Palestine| Documentary | English | 2014 | 92 min
Sponsored by the Burlington-Bethlehem-Arad Sister City Program, celebrating their 25th anniversary
Director Leila Sansour will attend the screening, introduce it and host a Q&A.
***The screening will be preceded by a reception with snacks and cash bar starting at 6pm, sponsored by Slow Food Vermont***
Filmed over four critical years in the life of Bethlehem, this most famous little town also happens to be Palestinian director Leila Sansour’s hometown. She left it as a teenager, pledging never to return. But in 2004 she went home for Christmas. The journey changed her life. Armed with a camera and a family car that keeps breaking down, she sets out to create an intimate chronicle of a historical town in peril. Ten years on, with 700 hours of footage, the result is nothing like she had expected.
This film is an emotional journey of one woman in a struggle to save her hometown. It takes viewers deep into the world of Bethlehem and paints a portrait of the city as it has never been seen before.
For the best value and experience, we highly recommend purchasing a full festival pass. For more information about passes, go HERE.