Synopsis & Film Details
Artist Amer Shomali and filmmaker Paul Cowan bring to life an astonishing story of nonviolent resistance during the First Intifada of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 1987, the Palestinian townsmen of Beit Sahour decide to buy 18 cows and produce their own milk as part of a self-sufficiency movement, in lieu of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. After their cows are declared a “threat to the security of the state of Israel,” the dairy goes underground, hidden in the night, while the cows continue to produce their “Intifada milk” with the Israeli army in nonstop pursuit. Through an innovative blend of archival footage, stop-motion animation and interviews, this moo-ving documentary re-creates a serious piece of history while also finding humor in the absurdity of it all. In Arabic, Hebrew, and English, with English subtitles.
Directors: Amer Shomali and Paul Cowan
Palestine / Canada / France (2014)
75 minutes, Not Rated
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Screening Sponsor
Aimee & Kamal Abu-Shamsieh
Filmmaker Q&A
After the screening, join visiting director Paul Cowan to talk about the movie. The Canadian filmmaker has been prolific in his 40-year career for highlighting controversial issues. His previous works include: capturing the rise and fall of billionaire Robert Campeau (“Double or Nothing”), chronicling Dr. Henry Morgentaler on a contentious abortion crusade (“Democracy on Trial”), depicting wrongly-convicted murderer Donald Marshall’s landmark battle against Nova Scotia’s justice system (“Justice Denied”) and more. Cowan has also been nominated for an Academy Award for “Going the Distance,” a documentary about the 1978 Commonwealth Games.
Additional support for this special filmmaker appearance comes from: V. Ellis Vance & Robin L. Greiner; Kristopher Watanabe, PT; and Christine & Howard K. Watkins.