PMA WorldView supported documentary Open Bethlehem has been endorsed by Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever Nobel Laureate, and her father Ziauddin Yousafzai, the United Nations Special Advisor on Global Education.
Malala and Ziauddin Yousafzai receiving their passports. Image: Open Bethlehem
Malala’s support for the film comes as Open Bethlehem begins its 2016 tour, with launches planned in Australia, Canada, Chile and the USA.
The documentary was filmed over the course of 10 years and compliments an international campaign by director Leila Sansour to support a lasting peace settlement between Palestine and Israel using Bethlehem as a doorway for global engagement.
The film is an intimate portrait of Bethlehem, a town in the throes of change and charts the creation of a campaign to compel international action to bring peace to the Middle East.
Malala and her father have joined a growing community of Bethlehem Ambassadors from all walks of life. The Ambassador’s role is to help advocate and champion the campaign, as part of this they receive an honorary passport to the city which acknowledges their contribution to the cause.
Upon receiving her passport, Malala said;
“I feel very happy that I got the opportunity to see Open Bethlehem and also met the producer and director of the film Leila. The film artistically is moving and powerful. It makes you cry. It speaks for the freedom of people to have the right to live together no matter what their religion or nationality is. The film somehow had similarities to my life as well. My father inspired me to believe in the power of our voice and so did Leila’s great father. I strongly recommend this film, it will not just inform you about the tragedies of Bethlehem but will inspire you, by the courage of Leila and her friends, to believe in yourself and your voice and become part of this movement. Thank you Leila. Your film is the voice of the people of Bethlehem and Palestine, whether Muslims or Christians or Jews. It is voice of the people.“
This powerful film will continue to tour throughout 2016 alongside a series of Open Bethlehem events.
For more information about the documentary, the Open Bethlehem campaign and the Bethlehem passport, click here
Upon receiving her passport, Malala said;
“I feel very happy that I got the opportunity to see Open Bethlehem and also met the producer and director of the film Leila. The film artistically is moving and powerful. It makes you cry. It speaks for the freedom of people to have the right to live together no matter what their religion or nationality is. The film somehow had similarities to my life as well. My father inspired me to believe in the power of our voice and so did Leila’s great father. I strongly recommend this film, it will not just inform you about the tragedies of Bethlehem but will inspire you, by the courage of Leila and her friends, to believe in yourself and your voice and become part of this movement. Thank you Leila. Your film is the voice of the people of Bethlehem and Palestine, whether Muslims or Christians or Jews. It is voice of the people.“
This powerful film will continue to tour throughout 2016 alongside a series of Open Bethlehem events.
For more information about the documentary, the Open Bethlehem campaign and the Bethlehem passport, click here