Cinema bus allows Gaza residents to go to the movies again - in pictures

Films bring a reprieve from the struggles of daily life

GAZA CITY, GAZA - NOVEMBER 7: Palestinian children attend a movie screening in the street in Jabalia refugee camp on November 7 2021 in Gaza City, Gaza. Gaza's first cinema was built in 1944 and by the 1960s there were as many as 10 operating, however political disputes, conflict, and religious reasons caused the closure of all cinemas during the first Palestinian intifada in 1987 and they continued to remain closed due to government and religious restrictions. The last show in a cinema was screened 24 years ago. Today, traces of only three of the old cinemas remain, Al-Nasr Cinema and Amer Cinema are still standing, although heavily damaged and abandoned and the third, Al-Samer Cinema has been turned into a car licensing facility. Recently, a fully equipped mobile cinema bus was established and has once again given Gaza residents a chance to experience the feeling of watching a film at the cinema, an event many have never experienced in their lives. The shuttering of cinemas forced many residents to seek out other ways of viewing and screening films, makeshift street cinemas, home projectors and cafe film screenings are all ways people have found to take in a film, with the opening of the new cinema bus, which can accommodate up to 50 passengers and creates the real experience of stepping into a cinema hall, it brings an opportunity for residents of all ages to once again be immersed in the cinema experience, bringing hope and a reprieve from the struggles of daily life in Gaza. (Photo by Fatima Shbair/Getty Images)Show less

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Palestinian children watch a film inside a cinema bus in Gaza city. Conflict led to the closure of all the territory's cinemas during the first Palestinian intifada of 1987. The last show in a cinema was screened 24 years ago. Recently however, a special cinema bus was set up and is once again giving Gaza residents the chance to experience the feeling of going to the movies.

The closure of Gaza's cinemas forced many residents to find other ways of viewing and screening films, leading to makeshift street cinemas, home projectors and cafe film screenings. A new cinema bus, which can accommodate up to 50 passengers, recreates the experience of stepping into a cinema.

The abandoned Al Nasr Cinema in the centre of Gaza city. Gaza's first cinema was built in 1944 and by the 1960s there were as many as 10 operating. However, conflicts led to their closure during the first Palestinian intifada in 1987.

The stands of the abandoned Amer cinema in the centre of Gaza city. The closure of cinemas forced many residents to seek other ways of viewing and screening films, leading to makeshift street cinemas, home projectors and cafe film screenings.

An abandoned movie house called Al Samer Cinema in the center of Gaza city.

Palestinians attend a movie screening at an old house in central Gaza city. The closure of cinemas forced many residents to seek other ways of viewing and screening films. A new cinema bus, which can accommodate up to 50 passengers and recreates the experience of stepping into a cinema hall, offering residents of all ages an opportunity to once again be immersed in the cinema experience.

A cat enjoys a movie at home in Gaza city.

Palestinian children enjoy a movie at their home in Gaza city.

Palestinian children attend a movie screening in the street in Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza city.

Palestinian children attend a movie screening in the street in Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza.

Palestinian children watch a film inside a cinema bus in Gaza city.

Children leave the cinema bus after catching a movie in Gaza city.