Creation Under Occupation: An Evening with the Freedom Theatre

An evening of documentary and discussion about the work of The Freedom Theatre in Palestine.

The Freedom Theatre was built in the heart of the Palestinian resistance in Jenin Refugee Camp in 2006. The aim was to create a political and artistic movement of theatre and filmmakers who could fight the Israeli Occupation through art and use cultural resistance as a tool to fight oppression. Due to the provocative nature of the work the theatre has had its building attacked, received numerous death threats, had its members interrogated and imprisoned and in 2011 the theatre’s Artistic Director Juliano Mer Khamis was murdered. Despite this the theatre has managed to tour their work internationally as well as open many productions in Jenin Refugee Camp where it is based.

The discussion will be led by Nabil Al-Raee. Nabil was born in Alrob refugee Camp in Palestine and is an actor, director and teacher. He has worked at The Freedom Theatre since 2006 and took over as artistic director when Juliano Mer Khmais was murdered.

The evening will also include the documentary Arna’s Children which was directed by Juliano Mer Khamis telling the story of a Palestinian theatre group that was established by his mother Arna in Jenin. Juliano went on to found The Freedom Theatre, leading the artistic vision for six years until he was murdered in 2011.