Checkpoint Rock is a 2009 Basque documentary film directed and written by Fermin Muguruza and Javier Corcuera. The film was made with the goal of bringing Palestinian music out of the "darkness".Fermin Muguruza's website
The film was shot in Tel Aviv's Arab neighborhoods, other cities in Israel, and refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
It received support from the Basque Government, the Association of Independent Basque Audiovisual Producers (Ibaia), and the Spanish Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA).Berria: Muguruza will premiere his film on Palestine on the 30th of the month
Screenings The film premiered in April 2009 at the San Sebastián Human Rights Film Festival."darkness"_with_Checkpoint_Rock._"We_are_happy_when_someone_from_the_outside_believes_in_us",_says_Murkus_the_singer.htm Berria: A Song to LifeNoticias de Gipuzkoa: 'Checkpoint Rock' at the Human Rights Film Festival
In early July it was also presented at the Euskal Herria Zuzenean festival.Berria: Last SurprisesSan Sebastián Festival website
On August 21 it was shown in Ramallah, West Bank, at the Al-Kasaba theater.Berria: Jala, Jala, Ramallah It was later shown in Haifa, Acre, and Nazareth.Berria: Muguruza’s film Checkpoint Rock will be presented in PalestinePNN: Checkpoint Rock: A film about contemporary Palestinian music tours the region
It was also premiered on September 26 at the San Sebastián Film Festival under the "Zinemira-Basque Cinema Panorama" section.Berria: Basque Cinema will have its own section at the San Sebastián Festival
It will be released in theaters in October.Gara: Checkpoint Rock will hit theaters in OctoberBerria: 'Checkpoint Rock' will be released in October
Synopsis The documentary not only depicts the situation of several Palestinian musicians but also shows their everyday life. The artists featured in the film include DAM, Amal Murkus, Safaa Arapiyat, Khalas, Walla'at, Muthana Shaban, Suhell, Habib Al-Deek, Ayman PR, Shadi Al-Assi, Sabreen, and Le Trio Joubran. Manu Chao also participated.
Technical details Directed byFermin Muguruza and Javier CorcueraWritten byFermin Muguruza and Javier CorcueraEdited byMartin EllerProduced byK2000 and FilmanovaDistributed byBarton FilmsBarton Films website
See also Arab music Documentaries in the Basque Country
References