logo
Kino Lorber acquires Gaza documentary ‘Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk'

Kino Lorber acquires Gaza documentary ‘Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk'

Broadcast Pro13-07-2025
The film is written, directed, shot and edited by Iranian director Sepideh Farsi.
Kino Lorber has secured North American distribution rights to Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, a documentary by filmmaker Sepideh Farsi that captures life in Gaza through the lens of young Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassouna. The film, which made its world premiere in the 2025 Cannes ACID section and was later screened at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, offers a poignant look at the human cost of war and will be released theatrically by Kino Lorber, followed by digital, educational and home video rollouts.
Told through video conversations between Farsi and Hassouna during the Israeli military invasion of Gaza, the film presents an unfiltered, personal account of life under siege. Tragedy struck just one day after the film's Cannes selection was announced when Hassouna and her family were killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike on April 16. The documentary now stands as both a powerful artistic achievement and a final testament to Hassouna's life, voice and vision.
Combining urgency with emotional depth, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk reveals the daily realities of young Palestinians caught in a seemingly unending cycle of conflict. The deal was negotiated by Karoliina Dwyer, VP of Acquisitions at Kino Lorber, and Sébastien Chesneau of Cercamon.
'Sepideh Farsi has crafted an intimate, courageous film that now stands as a final testament to the life of her friend, photojournalist and poet Fatma Hassouna. In the face of her tragic death and the continued destruction of Gaza, it feels more important than ever to ensure that Fatma's story is heard. We're honored and proud to partner with Sepideh and bring Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk to North American audiences,' said Dwyer.
'This film is a hand stretched out towards Gaza, trying to make a film despite the physical blockade, in order to reach the human. My encounter with Fatem, who became my mirrored soul, was a miracle. Her sunny smile and her photos will forever be a vivid testimony to the sufferings of the Palestinian people. I'm deeply moved to see the film released in North America by Kino Lorber, allowing Fatem's voice and spirit to resonate far beyond the borders she was never allowed to cross,' added director Sepideh Farsi.
Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk is produced by Rêves d'Eau Productions in co-production with 24images. Sepideh Farsi is credited as the writer, director, cinematographer and editor of the film.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

top events happening in Abu Dhabi this August
top events happening in Abu Dhabi this August

What's On

time7 hours ago

  • What's On

top events happening in Abu Dhabi this August

Abu Dhabi is turning up the heat this August with a vibrant mix of family fun, live music, and exciting rewards. Catch the action-packed Paw Patrol Live: The Great Pirate Adventure, experience the soulful sounds of Faraj Suleiman and don't miss your chance to win big while dining at Summer Pit Stop. Whether you're planning a fun day out with the kids or a cultural evening, there's plenty to enjoy in the capital this month. Paw Patrol Live: The Great Pirate Adventure Image: Archive Ahoy, mateys! Get ready for a swashbuckling good time as Paw Patrol Live! sails into Abu Dhabi for the first time ever with a brand-new show, The Great Pirate Adventure . Taking over Etihad Arena, this high-energy stage production brings Ryder and the pup squad to life in a thrilling pirate-themed quest. Packed with catchy tunes, exciting surprises and all your little ones' favourite characters, this interactive adventure is perfect for families and fans of the hit TV show. And remember, no job is too big, no pirate pup is too small! Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi Date: 29 to 31 August Time: Times vary, depending on day Seat categories & prices: Royal – Dhs350 VIP – Dhs275 Platinum – Dhs245 Gold – Dhs145 Silver – Dhs95 Tickets: Faraj Suleiman: Live in Concert Get ready for an unforgettable night of music as acclaimed Palestinian composer, pianist and vocalist Faraj Suleiman makes his long-awaited UAE debut this summer. Taking the stage at The Red Theater at The Arts Center, Faraj will perform live with a full band on Friday, August 29 at 7.30pm, delivering a spellbinding set that blends emotion, rhythm, and cinematic flair. Known for his genre-defying sound fusing Arabic melodies with jazz, rock, and classical influences Faraj's music is both playfully intricate and deeply moving. Expect to hear tracks from his breakthrough album Better Than Berlin , alongside selections from his most recent and introspective release, Maryam . The album unfolds like a story: it begins with light and romance, and gradually shifts into darker reflections on grief, loss, and transformation. It's a powerful expression of today's emotional landscape, wrapped in folk-inspired instrumentation and tender vocals. Location: The Red Theater, The Arts Center, NYU Abu Dhabi Date: Friday, August 29, 2025 Time: 7.30pm Tickets: From Summer Pit Stop: Dine & Win Big Image: Archive Yas Bay Waterfront and Yas Marina are keeping the summer vibes going strong this August and there's still time to win big. Until August 31, dine at any of the 25+ participating venues and enter for a chance to score exclusive Abu Dhabi GP Race Week experiences. Every Dhs100 you spend gets you one entry into the prize draw. Eat, enjoy, and increase your chances to win with every receipt. Up for grabs this August: Bonus Prize Draws – Win Race Week trackside experiences for two. Next Draws: August 11 & August 25 Expect high-speed thrills, fan zones, live music and more. Grand Prize Countdown: All entries also count toward the Grand Prize Draw on September 2, a VIP Mega Fan Experience for Four, with 360-degree circuit views, premium hospitality, and the most immersive way to enjoy the Abu Dhabi GP. How to Enter: Dine at Yas Bay Waterfront or Yas Marina Spend a minimum of AED 100 Upload your receipt at Keep your original receipt — you'll need it to claim your prize Location: Yas Bay Waterfront & Yas Marina Date: Until August 31, 2025 Entry: Dhs100 gets you 1 entry Upload Receipts: > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in

Art of summer: Artbooth Gallery show captures spirit of season
Art of summer: Artbooth Gallery show captures spirit of season

Gulf Today

timea day ago

  • Gulf Today

Art of summer: Artbooth Gallery show captures spirit of season

Artbooth Gallery, a leading art space in the national capital, is hosting Summered, a group exhibition that brings together a constellation of artists whose expressive works span continents and sensibilities (July 21 – Sept. 7). The public can immerse themselves in a universe where summer turns into an inner season, a state of mind or a breath of inspiration that ties together nature, memory, and imagination. Soraya Abu Naba'a, Gilbert Halaby, Asaad Arabi, James Matthews, Habuba Farah, Noor Bahjat, Bruno Sfeir, Oussama Diab, Layal Khawly and Elias Naman, are the artists who create a dialogue through works that blend contrast, symbolism, vibrant forms, and sculpted silences. From the dreamlike and meticulous florals of Soraya Abu Naba'a to the introspective paintings of Gilbert Halaby, Summered reveals, through each work, a fragment of a personal world that opens itself to collective reflection. Asaad Arabi's composition Gate of dream. James Matthews, a visual artist and educator based in Abu Dhabi since 2007, brings to the exhibition a visual language shaped by international experience. Asaad Arabi offers lyrical cityscapes where colours dance like suspended musical notes, while Habuba Farah weaves geometric abstraction into a poetic modernity, rooted in sound and rhythm. Noor Bahjat presents surreal and densely narrative self-portraits, while Bruno Sfeir explores interior worlds with symbolic depth. Oussama Diab expresses displacement and memory with gentle irony and sharp cultural references. Layal Khawly, penultimately through architectural compositions, seeks unity between art and social engagement. Finally Elias Naman, a sculptor of silence, reveals raw, pure, and timeless emotion through hand-carved stone. Elias Naman's work titled Fragment of Humanity I. Soraya was born to a Palestinian father and a mother of Lebanese descent. She spent her childhood life in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Travelling has had a huge impact on her visual language and meeting people from different countries, ignited an interest in their life stories. Gilbert Halaby (b. 1979) is a self-taught, multi-disciplinary artist and renowned designer who was born in a village in Mount Lebanon. He is known for producing a wide variety of art and written work that spans paintings, sculptures, poems and letters. Born in Damascus (1941), Asaad Arabi, in different series throughout his lengthy career, has skilfully used composition and colour in harmony, creating unity between the different aspects of his work. In the defined colour blocks of his abstract works, viewers gradually discern figures, architectural forms and patterns, while in his figurative works, bodies are painted in hues that merge with their environments. James Matthews is a British artist known for various styles, including Impressionist and Modern landscapes and portrait sculpture. He also works with woodblock and mixed media prints, often incorporating themes of culture, environment and sustainability related to the UAE, particularly using date palm tree paper. Ousamma Diab's Man and shadow. Over the course of a lifelong creative journey, Habuba Farah (b. 1931) has established a distinctive artistic identity through dynamic abstract compositions that explore colour, geometry, and movement. Her style, is often described as 'Lyrical Geometric Abstraction'. 'I identify as a woman and artist of Arab descent,' she once said, reflecting on how her artistic practice embodies both her Brazilian upbringing and Arab heritage. She was born into a family of Lebanese immigrants who settled in Brazil in the early 20th century. Noor Bahjat is a surrealist self-portrait artist working in an expressionistic style with a primarily figurative subject matter. After a visit to the Philippines, her palette and visual narrative drastically changed, moving away from dark and static compositions towards illuminated backgrounds, incorporating elements of nature and water in her portraits. Bruno Sfeir is an Uruguayan-Lebanese painter, who, in his extensive career, has created works across various mediums, exploring a wide range of themes. His art has travelled around the globe; each piece reflects a deep internal process, rooted in meditation. Vertigo Skyline by Noor Bahjat. Due to his background as a stateless Palestinian, Oussama Diab has always been a refugee, including in his native country, Syria. His work reflects the questions relating to humanity and freedom, justice and injustice, violence and struggle, human suffering and loss. But despite having experienced war and loss first-hand, he has always been moved by compassion and by hope too – another feature he wants to express in his work. He is not primarily concerned with political issues, but with the principles of humanity. Layal Khawly is a Lebanese visual artist and painter. Khawly decided to use her art for the common good, allowing those who cannot express themselves to be represented through her, thus allowing nobody to truly ever feel alone. Without preparatory sketches or machinery, Elias Naman sculpts by hand, forging an unfiltered dialogue between artist and stone. His work explores themes of identity, spirituality and the human condition, working to capture fleeting emotions in enduring materials. Work titled Still life by Soraya Abu Naba'a. Summered is more than an ode to the blazing light of the season. It is a journey through the inner landscapes of being, an invitation to contemplate the world differently, in a time suspended between warmth, reflection, and creation. Together, the artists form an orchestra, each voice distinct, harmonised in shared pursuit: to render visible the unseen layers of the self, of memory, and of belonging. The works transcend aesthetics: they are testaments, heirlooms, and quiet revolutions, each piece a vessel of history, transformation, and vision. Summered is a moment of pause within movement, a season captured not in Fahrenheit, but in feeling. The works are the echoes of a summer lived in full colour, depth, and purpose.

Royal Opera pulls out of Israel production after staff revolt
Royal Opera pulls out of Israel production after staff revolt

Middle East Eye

time2 days ago

  • Middle East Eye

Royal Opera pulls out of Israel production after staff revolt

The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) has pulled out of a planned production run of the opera Turandot in Israel, the company's CEO Alex Beard confirmed in a message to staff. Beard told his employees that "Tosca will not be going to Israel" following weeks of staff dissent over their refusal to perform in Israel and anger at the treatment of a performer who raised the Palestinian flag after a performance. In July, dancer Danni Perry raised the Palestinian flag during an ovation following a performance of Il Trovatore. Perry was challenged by the opera's director, Oliver Mears, who attempted to pull the flag off him. The performer was later reportedly "banned" from participation in future performances. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The incident set off declarations of solidarity with Perry by members of the company, with 182 members of staff joining a call to reject future performances in Israel. Staff, including performers, dancers, musicians and technicians amongst others, signed a letter demanding that RBO "withholds our productions from institutions that legitimise and economically support a state engaged in the mass killing of civilians". "In recent months, the world has witnessed the systematic destruction of Palestinian lives, homes, and cultural heritage. Tens of thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and essential infrastructure deliberately targeted, in clear violation of international law," the letter said. War on Gaza: Campaigners shut down fundraiser for Israeli soldiers at London theatre Read More » "It is in this climate that our organisation has chosen to actively support the Israeli state and its economy by hiring our production of Turandot to The Israeli Opera." Staff demands in the letter included the cessation of performances in Israel, an acknowledgement by the RBO of genocide in Gaza, solidarity with Perry and disciplinary action against Mears. The world of opera, like others in the performing arts, faces an internal reckoning over its response to Israel's onslaught on Gaza. Many artists refuse to perform in Israel as they consider it tacit endorsement of its atrocities against Palestinians in the besieged enclave.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store