T.A. cinema to screen 'Jenin, Jenin' on eve of director's libel trial

Haaretz 08:14 25/02/2008

By Nirit Anderman, Haaretz Correspondent

The Tel Aviv Cinematheque will screen Mohammed Bakri's controversial film "Jenin, Jenin" on Monday night, on the eve of the director's libel trial. Cinematheque director Alon Garbuz said the screening was "a show of support" for Bakri, who has been invited to attend the event. The film was banned by the Israeli Film Ratings Board in 2002, on the premise that it was libelous and might offend the public. This decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court, which nonetheless labeled it a "propagandistic lie." The film describes events in Jenin during the Israel Defense Forces Operation Defensive Shield.
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After the Supreme Court's ruling, Bakri and Israel's cinematheques were sued in a civil law suit by five IDF reservists. The cinematheques reached a compromise with the plaintiffs, while Bakri is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.