Actor Salim Daw, Palestinian filmmaking brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser and actress Hiam Abbas pose at a photocall for 'Gaza Mon Amour' at the 77th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy. EPA
Actor Salim Daw, Palestinian filmmaking brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser and actress Hiam Abbas pose at a photocall for 'Gaza Mon Amour' at the 77th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy. EPA
Actor Salim Daw, Palestinian filmmaking brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser and actress Hiam Abbas pose at a photocall for 'Gaza Mon Amour' at the 77th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy. EPA
Actor Salim Daw, Palestinian filmmaking brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser and actress Hiam Abbas pose at a photocall for 'Gaza Mon Amour' at the 77th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice

Palestinian film 'Gaza Mon Amour' wins Netpac award at Tiff


Samia Badih
  • English
  • Arabic

Gaza Mon Amour by Palestinian twin brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser has won the Netpac award at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.

The film, which world premiered at the Venice International Film Festival earlier this month, stars Palestinians Hiam Abbas and Salim Daw.

Inspired by a real-life event that happened in Gaza in 2013, the film follows the story of a 60-year-old fisherman who finds a bronze statue of the Greek god Apollo in his nets.

The film is a love story set in daily life in Gaza. In a recent interview with The National, the directors said that the film was their way to show "how much they love Gaza".

“We decided to do something with no link to politics,” Tarzan said.

The directors thanked Tiff for the award via video.

"Thank you so much for this Netpac, which is such a pleasure to have. Sending you lots of love and many kisses from Paris," they said in their video message.

The Netpac award's jury is selected from the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema.

This year, and due to Covid-19, Tiff has had a smaller programme with a selection of 50 films from around the world, and the majority of events taking place digitally.

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

Tank warfare

Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.