Divine Intervention Directed by Elia Suleiman

In Nazareth, under a guise of banal normalcy, the town embraces folly. Under pressure from his failing business, a man takes matters into his own hands and tries to break a chain reaction of petty feuds. He breaks down himself. The man is ES' father. A love story takes place between a Palestinian man living in Jerusalem and a Palestinian woman from Ramallah. The man - ES - shifts between his ailing father and his love life, trying to keep both alive. Because of the political situation, the woman's freedom of movement ends at the Israeli army checkpoint between the two cities. Barred from crossing, the lovers' intimate encounters take place on a deserted lot right beside the checkpoint. The lovers are unable to exempt reality from occupation. They are unable to preserve their intimacy in the face of a siege. A complicity of solemn desire begins to generate violent repercussions and against the odds, their angry hearts counter-attack with spasms of spectacular fantasy.

About the Director Born in 1960 in Nazareth, Elia Suleiman lived in New York from 1981-1993. While in the United States, he directs his first two short films: Introduction to the End of an Argument and Homage by Assassination, winning numerous awards. In 1994, he settles down in Jerusalem, where the European Commission entrusts him with the mission of creating a Film and Media Department at Birzeit University. His essays and articles have been published in English, Arabic and French. His first feature film, Chronicle of a Disappearance, won the Best First Film Prize at the 1996 Venice Film Festival. In 2002, Divine Intervention won the Jury Prize at the Festival de Cannes as well as the Best Foreign Film Prize at the European Awards in Rome. Often compared to Tati and Keaton, Elia Suleiman handles burlesque and sobriety with the same poetic sense. 

About Cinema Akil 

Cinema Akil is the arthouse cinema dreams are made of - cosy, quirky, and a pioneer in bringing critically-acclaimed films from around the world to UAE audiences. After years of hosting nomadic pop ups in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, Cinema Akil established itself as the first arthouse cinema in the GCC in 2018, quickly becoming a fan favourite. Founded by Butheina Kazim, Cinema Akil promotes the goal of education and awareness-building around film and the cinematic arts.

Host or Publisher Alserkal Avenue