Synopsis:

Mohammed, an exiled Palestinian filmmaker now living in Sweden, visits his dying mother in Gaza. She gives him the DV tapes he shot of his Dabke dancing friends during his teenage years, during years of war. After watching the tapes, in order to find the belonging he felt filming the friends of his youth, he embarks on an existential quest to visit his friends who are now exiled all over Europe. When Mohammed's mother dies he goes back to Gaza to visit her grave. During his stay in October, Hamas attacks Israel, the war breaks out again and Mohammed has to flee Gaza again. In Egypt he manages to evacuate his sisters but his father refuses to leave his wife’s grave. At his friend's university graduation in Sheffield Mohammed reunites with all his childhood friends and through Dabke dance and friendship he focuses on hope and resistance.

Director’s profile:

Mohammed Al-Majdalawi has a masters degree in documentary film from Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts. Growing up in Gaza, he worked as a crew for international films including Eyewitness Gaza. His own films are, Gaza Art Through Barbed Wire (2011), Forget me Not (2022), To Mai (2024) and is currently working on his documentary Out Of Place.

Producer’s profile:

Manolo Diaz Rämö was born in Stockholm. He has a bachelor’s degree in Documentary film from Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts. In his films Manolo often explores the longing for something unreachable, usually connected to migration. His films have won numerous awards and his latest film, Like a Mountain is currently screened at SVT.