SALT OF THIS SEA, A FILM FROM PALESTINE

SALT OF THIS SEA (Milh Hadha al-Bahr), A great Palestinian film opened Friday Aug 13 at the Quad Theater in NYC. It did so well that it's being held over another week!
This film is so effective that is should be used by Palestine solidarity activists around the country. It will change people's minds! -- Rick Congress





Activists in New York worked hard to publicize this film as you can see from the messages below:


QUAD CINEMA WEBSITE: http://www.quadcinema.com/


“Brilliant, emotional, intense and fresh... the kind of powerful film that stays with you long after you leave the theater. It profoundly moved me.” — Michael Moore

Dear Friend of Palestine:

Are you tired of derogatory images of Palestinians, sick of obfuscating media narrative that tells less than half the story? Have you been waiting for a Hollywood-style film to reach out to the American voting public and tell a true story from Palestine? To describe from a personal point of view the History of dispossession, then bring it into the present with clear and unflinching images of the current reality of ongoing occupation set in a romantic adventure? This film has has arrived! Even if you can't attend, PURCHASE A TICKET NOW TO SUPPORT “SALT OF THIS SEA!”

Opening in New York Friday, August 13, Salt of This Sea (Milh Hadha al-Bahr), is a beautifully shot film from Palestine, produced by Hollywood strongman Danny Glover, directed by Tony-Award winning Palestinian-American filmmaker Anna Marie Jacir, starring Brooklyn’s own Suheir Hammad, and Saleh Bakri (son of Mohammed Bakri, acclaimed Palestinian actor and director of Jenin, Jenin). Now is the moment to support mainstreaming cinematic images of Palestine in America.

Why is this appeal reaching you less than 24 hours before the film's opening? Because a peace with justice organization I work with received a phone call just yesterday from Salt of This Sea's distributor, asking us to partner with them for group sales -- far too late for effective outreach for most films -- and we’ve just been informed by the Quad Cinema that NOT ONE GROUP BLOCK OR ADVANCE TICKET HAS BEEN SOLD! Given the caliber of this film, we don't know why this oversight occurred. But we must act now to remedy this missed opportunity to avoid losing the powerful educational outreach potential of this rare Palestinian film.



WHY IT'S CRITICAL TO SUPPORT THIS FILM AT THE BOX OFFICE OPENING WEEKEND

Because Monday morning after reviewing weekend box office sales, cinemas decide which films to keep in the theatre, and which to drop from the marquee. If Salt of This Sea does not sell more tickets that the other films at the Quad this weekend, it will be gone from the theatre.



WHY DOES IT MATTER WHETHER A FILM FROM PALESTINE STAYS IN CINEMAS ANOTHER WEEK?

- It’s the difference between distributors viewing films from Palestine as "box office deficits" and "passing" on these films in the future; vs. distributors viewing films from Palestine as commercially viable for American audiences, and seeking them out for future distribution in the US.

- It’s the difference between dissemination of more negative stereotypes and false narratives reaching the American voting public; vs. dissemination of true stories from Palestine, by Palestinian directors, portraying whole characters.



WHY DO MEDIA-INFLUENCED PERCEPTIONS OF PALESTINE MATTER IN AMERICA?

Because images form concepts, concept influence voting habits, and voting habits influence American foreign policy, in support of Palestine - or not. I think we all know how the record stands now. Let's take steps to change that now!

Salt of This Sea is a rare theatrical release with great potential to educate American public. The battle for Palestine begins with the media. Start now!



Kind regards and solidarity,


Nora Malone

Brooklyn For Peace Israel-Palestine Committee

American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights, New York Chapter

M.F.A., Film and Media Arts Temple University 2003

www.noramalone.net
www.TinyUrl.com/ChangingMyMind

Cell (267) 241 0405


follow up email message from Brooklyn for Peace:

CONGRATULATIONS everyone who helped spread the word!!! Salt of This Sea out sold all other films at the Quad Cinema this weekend! That includes: Joan Rivers, A Piece of Work, Cyrus, and Orlando. Yes, Palestine is more popular than Joan Rivers in New York!



As a result, Salt of This Sea will stay at the Quad Cinema for another week. This was our goal, and we achieved it!



Please understand from this experience that YOU as an audience member have the power to VOTE for the media you wish to see in theatres. Tired of that stereotype of Palestinians? Love the images you saw in Salt of This Sea? Then keep those images in the cinema for all to see by passing on the screening information and telling everyone you know it's a "must see." Keep the ticket sales going! Make Salt of This Sea a box office asset and show distributors films from Palestine are commercially viable.


WHAT YOU CAN DO IN YOUR CITY

- Write the distributor, Kino Lorber, and thank Richard Lorber for taking on this wonderful film: contact@kinolorber.com. Ask how your group can arrange for a alternate screening after the theatrical run.



- Contact your local, regional, and national media outlets and let them know a film from Palestine sold out in New York, topped the weekend box office, and is being held over another week.



- Spread the word to all your blogging friends. Plug Salt of This Sea on your Facebook and Twitter.



Making Salt of This Sea a box office success will encourage the distribution of more films from Palestine. We CAN mainstream Palestine in America!