FILM TALK : The Phoenix of Gaza

Join us at P21 Gallery for a special screening of the multi-award-winning documentary, The Phoenix of Gaza. The 60-minute film will be followed by an in-person Q&A session with the director and producer, Palestinian-British journalist and filmmaker Yousef Alhelou.

The Phoenix of Gaza is a powerful, deeply personal documentary and a visual love letter to a city before its destruction. Shot just weeks before October 2023, the film captures rare, vibrant footage of Gaza’s rich cultural heritage, historic landmarks, and bustling daily life, now serving as a vital historical archive of a society targeted for erasure.

What was initially intended to be a documentary celebrating the hidden beauties, resilience, and joys of life under siege transformed into a profound eulogy and an enduring testament to a people who refuse to be extinguished. The film acts as a force of counter-narrative, restoring human dignity and contributing to a collective memory that will rise from the ashes.

To date, this unique documentary has won 22 awards for Best Documentary Film and Best Director across numerous international film festivals since its London premiere in February 2025.

After a decade away from home, which began in 2013 with a fellowship at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University, Yousef Alhelou returned to Gaza in the summer of 2023. His mission was to reconnect with the places of his childhood and document the unseen treasures of the enclave.

Over a two-month period, Yousef compiled extensive reportage, capturing rare aerial footage and documenting historic architecture, museums, mosques, churches, olive groves, vibrant markets, beach life, and family celebrations.

Little did he know that this footage would become some of the final records of Gaza's cultural and civic landscape prior to the absolute devastation of the region. The documentary is further augmented by a reflective interview with Yousef, offering a tragic yet resilient glimpse into a society determined to survive and rebuild. On a deeply personal note, the film honors the memory of Yousef's sister, her seven children, and dozens of his relatives and journalist colleagues who lost their lives during the conflict.

Yousef Alhelou is an independent Palestinian-British journalist, political analyst, filmmaker, content creator, and simultaneous interpreter based in London. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Brunel University London and was awarded a research fellowship degree in journalism from the University of Oxford in 2013. Yousef reported from the ground in Gaza between 2005 and 2013, covering multiple major offensives. He is also a prominent voice on social media, using his platform to share counter-stories and truths from his homeland.

• Director/Producer: Yousef Alhelou
• Running Time: 60 minutes
• Language: English (with various subtitle options available)
• Format: Full HD, MP4 (16:9)
• Production: Filmed 2023/24, edited 2025

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