Dinner with A Very Hot Summer

Interview with Areej Abu Eid, director of A Very Hot Summer

 Would it be fair to compare your film to a poem (structure, first-person narration etc.)?
I think my story is more than that, it’s deep in its emotions, it’s the story of every Gazan who has lost their homes and loved ones in the war.

 Why did you choose to show some footage from the bombing on a TV screen?
My film depends on the narration, so I had to show some footage of the bombing and let the world know more about what we have been through in 51 days of bombing!

 First-person accounts of the Israeli bombing of Gaza, after the facts, do not get much exposure. What are your hopes for your film? Where would you like to see it screened? 
It is a human film. It’s a closer look at the inside feelings, the details of our daily life in war for any Gazan family and their suffering. It’s the contrary of what the media show of the war. I want the film to reach more people in big festivals like Locarno festival and Festival international du film de femmes de Salé.

 The film ends with a moving piece of footage of your sister – and perhaps friends or family members? – enjoying a boat ride in the sea. Would you call this a hopeful ending? What’s your perspective on the aftermath of 2014?
Well yes! I insisted on showing hope at the end of the film, because it was my sister’s wish in her last days. She wished that the war would end on her birthday, but she died the day before it. We Gazans love life and always look for hopes. 2014 affected us so badly I believe tomorrow can be a better day.

 In which festivals have you been selected yet? 
I had the chance to travel to Norway TIFF in 2013 and to participate with one of my films, Separation, it was an amazing chance. Unfortunately I couldn’t travel to Geneva film festival last November because of the closure of Rafah borders and the difficulty travelling from Gaza. I hope I will be able to come to Clermont and other festivals.

 If you’ve already been to Clermont-Ferrand, could you share with us an anecdote or story from the festival? If not, what are your expectations for this year? 
No, never been there, but I have hoped to go. Clermont is a very important festival and I am so happy to be a part of it. I believe my film will get me a lot of good feedback and open up more chances for me.

A Very Hot Summer is being shown in International Competition I11.