Entertainment Notebook: I Shall Not Hate follows a Palestinian doctor’s experience in Israel | Arts and entertainment

Filmoption has announced that Tal Barda’s documentary I won’t hate will premiere in Montreal on October 25. The film premiered in Canada at the Festival de cinéma de la ville in Québec and already has an impressive international track record on the festival circuit: in addition to awards at the Doc Edge Festival (New Zealand), it previously won the Audience Award at Cinema. That matters in Amsterdam. Its international premiere was on CPH:DOX.

From the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza to the University of Toronto and the Supreme Court of Israel, I won’t hate follow the unexplored path of Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. This is a Palestinian doctor who worked in an Israeli hospital delivering babies, where his spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation is tested when an Israeli tank bombs his home and kills his three daughters. Against all odds, he turns his tragedy into a global campaign to eradicate hate, delivering his message in English, Arabic and Hebrew. He is cited by former US President Barack Obama and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. But Dr. Abuelaish remains wracked with grief and convinced that, to honor his daughters, he must hold the Israeli government accountable for the unprovoked attack that decimated his family.

Following the Hamas attack on October 7 and the war in Gaza since then, the doctor’s trip becomes even more fateful for the possibility of imagining a future for Palestinians and Israelis. I won’t hate is a letter of tolerance from a deeply inspiring man with a message as urgent as ever. “I Shall Not Hate tells a complex, character-driven story that converges with larger narratives; the battle for the rights of the Palestinian people; the culture of war education in the Middle East that drives the cycle of violence and revenge; and the internal identity conflicts that immigrants face in new countries,” Barda said.

Barda is a French-American documentary filmmaker and producer born and raised in Jerusalem.

SIMINOVITCH PRIZE: Montreal-based talent Sonoyo Nishikawa is a finalist for this year’s Siminovitch Prize, Canada’s most prestigious theater award. Sonoyo is an acclaimed lighting designer, recognized for her innovative and innovative work on productions in Canada and abroad. The Siminovitch Prize celebrates mid-career artists who are having a transformative impact on theatre, and Sonoyo’s contribution to lighting design exemplifies that vision. His unique approach continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the art of theatrical lighting, and his work has inspired audiences around the world. ,

The Siminovitch Prize highlights innovative mid-career artists who are having a transformative impact on the art form. This year, a total of $130,000 in prizes will be awarded: $75,000 to the mid-career Siminovitch Prize winner, $25,000 to an emerging artist protégé of the laureate’s choice, $5,000 to each of the three finalists, and $5,000 dollars to emerging artists chosen by the three finalists. Additionally, the four shortlisted artists will receive a four-minute documentary profile on their work and artistic practice.

TWO BIRDS OF ONE STONE: Recently updated and set in Montreal, Two birds with one stone It is considered more timely than ever. Playwrights Natasha Greenblatt, a Canadian Jew, and Rimah Jabr, a Palestinian Muslim, are theater producers and friends living in Toronto who both have a connection to a home in Israel/Palestine. They met to write the sincere and charged conversation. Two birds with one stone. The writers are played on stage by actresses Dalia Charafedine and Natasha Fagant, under the direction of Murdoch Schon. With humor and powerful themes, the semi-autobiographical work raises complicated questions about identity, privilege, and the search for home. Rahul Varma, artistic director of Teesri Duniya Theaterpresents this important show at the Rangshala Studio in Cité-des-Hospitalières from October 25 to November 5. Continuing its mandate to foster dialogue, the company will host post-show talks.

Varma’s overall hope for this season is to mobilize public opinion for Palestinian sovereignty, a ceasefire and long-term peace, through the power of art. This opening play fits that goal. “The only solution to war is a peaceful conversation between the warring parties. It’s about understanding each person’s reality. Two Birds One Stone draws truth from lived historical experiences,” Varma said.

Two Birds One Stone navigates history and reveals hidden realities about the war, depicting dozens of revealing characters on both sides of the wall. Here the personal and the political meet in friendship. It delivers a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of freedom and sparks debate long after the show ends. “Two Birds One Stone is a moving story of alliance amid a time of occupation, atrocity and pain,” said director Murdoch Schon. “The work humanizes what we see in the media. “Audiences will be inspired to consider how they show up in the world for each other.”

This is the first time that playwrights have stopped playing the roles, while still participating in the creative process. Dalia Charafeddine plays playwright Rimah Jebr. “Being of Palestinian and Lebanese origin, it is an honor to represent a Palestinian woman on a Montreal stage. Many of the questions that Rimah asks are ones that I have also asked myself. “I hope the play encourages people to always hold on to their empathy and humanity, and move forward in life with an open heart and soul,” he said.

The role of playwright Natasha Greenblatt is played by Natasha Fagant, who was drawn to perform the piece. “I am among the many Canadians who feel overwhelmed trying to understand what is happening in the Middle East; Guilty for being ignorant but scared of falling for propaganda and doing more damage. This feels like something tangible I can do, albeit terrifying. for fear of not doing justice,” said Fagant. “Two Birds One Stone is a way for me to deepen my understanding of the situation, as well as my connection to part of my heritage.”

Information here

OPCM SEASON: To commemorate its tenth season, tThe Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir of the Mélomanes (OPCM) will present some of the greatest masterpieces of classical music at the Maison symphonique de Montréal. Very talented virtuosos, choristers and singers will offer memorable performances and will make this season the greatest in the history of this young group, already recognized here and throughout the province.

“As we embark on our monumental tenth season, it is with immense pride and excitement that I present to you a variety of masterpieces that not only reflect our artistic vision but also celebrate the journey and growth we have undertaken over the last decade,” explains director artistic, Francis Choinière. “Each concert this season has been carefully selected to showcase the depth and diversity of the classical repertoire, while highlighting the incredible talent within our community.”

As an opening, the ensemble will offer a masterful performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 15. November 16. In addition to 100 choristers and 52 musicians, Conductor Choinière will be surrounded by the exceptional voices of soprano Myriam Leblanc, mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy, tenor Andrew Haji and baritone Geoffroy Salvas.

Then on Sunday. On March 9 it will be time for Gustav Holst and his legendary suite Les Planètes. Here, in addition to the full OPCM choir, no less than 90 musicians will surely make this show an exquisite and unparalleled evening. In addition, the powerful Gloria by British composer Karl Jenkins will highlight the magic and strength of the 100 OPCM singers.

Finally, Saturday. On May 24, a grand evening will bring together soprano Sarah Dufresne and mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy around Gustav Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony No. 2. The two experienced singers will be accompanied on stage by more than 200 artists, backup singers and musicians. This glorious work was heard in the acclaimed film Maestro (2023), about director Leonard Bernstein.

Tickets for the 2024-2025 OPCM season are now available on the Plaza de las Artes website.

NAVAS IN DANSE DANSE: José Navas will return to Danse Danse to present his latest solo, AVES, from October 22 to 26 at the Cinquième Salle at the Place des Arts. AVES is not a single solo, but a succession of six autobiographical solos, offering an intimate exploration on a bare stage where sobriety prevails. Compagnie Flak, specialized in the creation of solos, excels in the art of musicality. Each choreography is made up of a variety of musical pieces, reflecting Navas’ changing feelings towards his late partner, William Douglas. From classical music to funk, blues and rock, the viewer is transported to the legacy that Douglas left to his partner.

Originally from Venezuela, Navas moved to New York to pursue his dance career, where he met Ontario choreographer William Douglas. Their journey continued in Montreal when Douglas, suffering from AIDS, wanted to be closer to his family. The two partners and artists collaborated on the single While You Wait before Douglas passed away. This performance earned them a Bessie Award in 1994. Since then, Navas has never stopped dancing her life on stage. With AVES, José Navas pays tribute to the memory of his partner, evoking his memories with music by Billie Holiday, Bach, PJ Harvey, Dorothy Moore and the song of birds from the Amazon rainforest. A moving work in which the artist fully reveals himself, using his body and mind as indicators of renewed maturity.

MAKING WAVES IN MONTREAL: After a highly successful first edition, Making Waves Montreal returns for a second edition. From October 24 to 26, the best of new Hong Kong cinema will be presented at the Cinema Cineplex Forum et VIP. Many artists will be in the city to show their films for the occasion. “Making Waves returns to Montreal with a specially curated program that speaks to the complexity of Hong Kong experiences,” said Sophia Wong Boccio, executive producer. “Additionally, joining us in Montreal will be the award-winning Gordon Lam (best known for his performances in Infernal Affairs and Hand Rolled Cigarillo), who will open the festival with the outrageously funny and gripping heist thriller Rob N Roll, and veteran TAI BO ( Drunken Master II, Port of Call, The Goldfinger), who stars in the powerful call-to-action social commentary All Shall Be Well, which won an award at the Berlin Film Festival, and plays a mysterious stranger in the compact neo -noir For Alice. Last but not least are Best New Artist winner Yoyo Tse, who shows us the vulnerability of a teenager in Fly Me To The Moon, and newcomer Kuku So with her impressive debut in For Alice. Reserve your seats in advance!

Admission is free. RSVP is required to attend screenings. For more information: asianpopupcinema.org/mwm24

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