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docUNight: Life Is Beautiful
13/12/2023 @ 17:15 - 19:15
Join us for an exclusive docUNight screening of the new Palestinian documentary film ‘Life Is Beautiful‘.
The screening of the film is co-organised by UN City, UNDP, and International Media Support (IMS) to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to shed light, among other things, on the key interplay between human rights and legal rights, and the value of rule of law.
About the Film:
A young Palestinian director, Mohamed Jabaly, is visiting a film festival in Tromsø in 2014 when the borders to Gaza close. He finds himself stuck in the arctic winter. Little does he know that it will be seven years before he can see his family again.
While waiting for the situation to change, Mohamed’s friends back home tell him to seek asylum or get married to stay in Norway. But Mohamed refuses to give up his Palestinian identity and insists on being recognised for his work. After being denied a work permit after several appeals, despite his film Ambulance gaining international success, he decides to take his case to court backed by a growing group of supporters.
As this unfolds, Mohamed lives a parallel life online, staying connected with family in Gaza. They provide solace, but when Gaza is attacked again, Mohamed experiences the pain of being separated from his loved ones and is faced with an impossible choice: if he goes back to Gaza, he may never be able to leave again and continue his work as an acclaimed film director, sharing his stories with the world.
Life is Beautiful is a story of overcoming a life put on hold by international politics and rigid bureaucracy, told from the inside by a director who uses all his creativity to connect with the world and forge a way forward.
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Run time: 1h 30min
Language: Arabic, Norwegian, English (with English subtitles)
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Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase before the event between 16:15–17:15.
Please bring a valid photo-ID to get through security at UN City and set aside time for the security check prior to the event. Please note that the check-in will close at 17:05.
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Register to save your spot here
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Programme:
17:15 Welcome by moderator, Flemming Johannesen (Head of UN City Communications)
17:20: Screening of ‘Life Is Beautiful’ (1h 30min)
18:50: Remarks by Henrik Fredborg Larsen (Director of the UNDP Nordic Office)
18:55: Interview with filmmaker & director, Mohamed Jabaly
19:15: Closing of the event
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About the 75th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
For 75 years, the core ambition of the Declaration has been to infuse societies with equality, fundamental freedoms, and justice. It enshrines the rights of all human beings and is a global blueprint for international, national, and local laws and policies and a bedrock of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2023, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
On Human Rights Day, 10 December 2023, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Declaration, a milestone celebration called Human Rights 75 (HR 75). Human Rights Day will capture all the moments from this year’s commemoration and seeks to increase knowledge on the universality and indivisibility of human rights, especially among young people, inspire people to create a movement of shared humanity while empowering them to fight for their rights and take action.
About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):
As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. UNDP helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP’s work is concentrated in three focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.
About International Media Support (IMS):
International Media Support is the largest media development organisation in the Nordic region. IMS works in more than 30 countries across four continents promoting press freedom, good journalism, and safety for journalists. The work of IMS is based on long-term engagements tailoured to the local country contexts in which IMS seeks to make a difference and always in partnership with local and international media actors.