Promised Band, The Directed
by
Jen Heck Israel, Palestine, USA / 2016 / 89:30 minutes New York Premiere
In English, Hebrew and Arabic with subtitles
Screening
Times and Venues:
Q&A Attendees *subject to change: Jen Heck, Lina Qadri, Viki Auslender
SYNOPSIS:
Vivacious thirty-three year old Lina Qadri, wife, mother, university teacher, artist, and musician, struggles with life in land-locked Nablus, an isolated West Bank city designated Area A, forbidden to Israelis and nearly as difficult for Palestinians, who are denied access to Israel except by special permit. Enter Jen Heck, a determined reality TV producer and peace activist who hatches a plot to create a fake band, thus allowing some furtive visits between Lina and a gutsy, adventurous group of Israeli women to cross into the forbidden zone. As the group bonds, it becomes apparent that the government imposed separation generates fear and prevents peace. With warmth and compassion, this story explores how barriers to understanding crumble with the healing power of friendship. Are similarities more powerful than differences? While tensions remain, "The Promised Band" allows a glimpse into what might be a true roadmap to peace. --Barbara Pokras, ACE
BIO: Jen Heck completed her MFA at Columbia University's film program in 2009. She has had work at major film festivals including Sundance, The Hamptons and Palm Springs, at museums including the Whitney (Biennial 2004) and MoMA, and on networks including MTV, Bravo and VH1. She has won awards at festivals for her short narrative films "Airplanes" and "Salamander", both photographed by Martina Radwan. She currently works as a documentary TV producer and director in New York.
The Woodstock Film Festival is a not-for-profit, 501c3 organization with a mission to present an
annual program and year-round schedule of film, music,
and art-related activities that promote artists, culture,
inspired learning, and diversity. The Hudson Valley Film
Commission promotes sustainable economic development
by attracting and supporting film, video and media production.
