A media graduate from Coventry University will see his first
feature-length documentary given its world premiere at a major
international film festival being held in the Netherlands this
month.
Palestinian-born Laith Al-Juneidi left the University in 2003
after gaining a First Class Honours Degree in Communication,
Culture and Media, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Film and
Visual Cultures. Now Laith is set for international acclaim as his
film, The Invisible Policeman has been selected from over 3,600
submissions as one of 327 titles to be screened at the 24th
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), 16-27
November 2011.
The film looks at the paradoxical life of Lieutenant Nidal, a 41
year old Palestinian police officer. While on the job he wears a
uniform and has a certain level of power and status, but as soon as
he returns home to the centre of Israeli-controlled Hebron, he is
powerless. Nidal, his wife and nine children live in poverty and
constantly under threat. We see the story unfold through the eyes
of family members; learning how Nidal could do nothing to stop two
of his children being arrested by the Israeli military, and seeing
him cling helplessly to his wife and children in a room as Jewish
settlers torch his house.
Steve Dawkins is Senior Lecturer in Media Production at Coventry
University, and taught Laith Al-Juneidi. He said:
"Once Laith found his voice, his media production work while on
the course started to have real depth and quality. During his time
at Coventry University he produced a number of short films,
including War vs Peace (2003), a 13-minute critique on the
portrayal of war in the media, showing how censorship presents us
with versions of the truth, whilst hiding the harsh realities.
Laith gained greater recognition as a film-maker after this, and
because of his interests, he became part of wider networks
exploring the political potential of using documentary. His work at
Coventry University gave him a real foundation for the political
pieces he is now producing surrounding the Israeli/Palestinian
conflict. It's great to see how Laith has developed over the years
and we wish him luck with his latest project."
IDFA is one of the world's leading documentary film festivals.
Held annually in Amsterdam since 1988, it is unique for its
international film programme, the variety of genres, its
politically committed programme and the many European and world
premieres featured each year. Following its world premiere in
Amsterdam, The Invisible Policeman will have its Middle East
Premiere at the 8th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 7-14
December 2011; it has also been officially selected by the Docudays
Documentary Film Festival in Beirut (15-20 December 2011) and has
been submitted to a variety of other festivals.
Film Director/Producer Laith Al-Juneidi said:
"Studying at Coventry University was a really important
experience which enriched my outlook on the world. The freedom to
choose subject matter and availability of resources really helped
my creativity, along with the knowledge and amazing support from
staff. I have kept in touch with many members of the University;
their open-minded attitude to political, cultural and social issues
helped me to find my voice and their continued support of my work
has given me the confidence to pursue my dream of becoming a film
director.
"Coventry University also allowed me to make connections with
high profile film professionals such as Lord Puttnam, whose advice
to me was short but powerful; 'It's about belief' he said, and
since then I decided to increase my belief in what I do. These
words helped me considerably during the making of The Invisible
Policeman, despite facing many obstacles, I kept on believing and
the film got made."
This is not the first Media Production student from Coventry
University to have found international success. Most recently
third-year Brindusa Nastasa, an overseas student from Romania,
filmed a Chilean family in Coventry who had fled Pinochet's regime
and had her work screened at the Marbella Film Festival in October
this year.
For more information about Coventry University, please visit
their website here: www.coventry.ac.uk