Tehran – “The State of Passion,” co-directed by Lebanese documentaries Carol Mansour and Muna Kharidi, will appear on screen in the 18th edition of the International Red Cross Festival and Healthy Film Healthy Film held in Varna, Bulgaria.
The film, produced in collaboration with the Iranian Documentary and Experimental Film Centre (DEFC), served as international prime minister at the International Documentary Film Festival, known as Cinema Veritt in Tehran last year.
“A Passion of Passion” is a feature-length documentary that captures the tragic experiences of British and Palestinian reconstruction surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah in the brutal reality of Gaza. The film serves as an intimate portrait of resilience, sacrifice and unwavering commitment in one of the world’s most longest humanitarian crises.
The documentary begins with the horrific aftermath of 43 harsh days of Dr. Abu Sitta in the emergency wards of Al-Sifa and Al-Ali Hospital, where he faces relentless gunfire and an overwhelming medical emergency. His shocked face in his pale shell, broadcast globally, encapsulates the emotional and physical sacrifices taken by his experiences. This mixes visual representations of hope and despair. The film details his relentless work in treating catastrophic injuries such as lacerations and unthinkable amputations carried out without anesthesia, and highlights the heartbreaking story of an orphan child whose family is stripped of in the midst of confusion.
They face deep questions as viewers delve deep into Dr. Abu Sitta’s persuasive journey. How does he gather strength to endure? The film delves into the emotional landscape of his family. He truly supports him, tackling the constant fear of his safety, but he shares the unbreakable bond built up by a common passion for Palestine. This passion for their hometown becomes a unified theme and provides the background to the motivation behind the sacrifices made and his brave efforts in humanitarian work.
Mansoor and Khalidi, as filmmakers and close friends of the Abu Sitta family, bring a deep sense of empathy and understanding to the story. They portray not only the struggle of Dr. Abu Sitta, but also the emotional weight he carries by his family, illuminating the costs of human war against those left behind. His dedication to documenting his story follows him by traveling through various cities of Beirut, Amman, London, Kuwait and Dubai, where conversations about hope, resistance and identity unfold.
“The State of Passion” transcends traditional war documentaries by providing a deep personal lens that allows audiences to grasp the reality that individuals face in conflict zones. It examines the intersection of medical humanitarianism and personal sacrifice, and ultimately depicts a resilient tapestry against the backdrop of adversity. The film invites viewers to reflect the notion of passion not as an abstract concept but as a driving force that promotes acts of courage and compassion in the face of overwhelming odds. Through its raw emotional storytelling, the “state of passion” affirms the enduring strength of the human spirit in search of dignity, justice and peace.
The 18th edition of the International Red Cross and Health Film will be held from June 12th to 20th.
Photo: British – Palestinian surgeon Dr. Gassan Absitta in a scene from the documentary film “A Passion of Passion.”
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