The Sun and the Looking Glass – for One Easily Forgets but the Tree Remembers

A visual film essay on the small Palestinian village of Ein Quiniya reconstructs the historical background of the Israeli occupation since 1967. The director puts herself in the position of a detective, who uses a magnifying glass to examine the local stones, sand, and tree bark, which reveal the specific atmosphere of the place and the historical events that have shaped its present appearance. The setting sun not only illuminates the scenery, but also reveals a text that explains how the village, its inhabitants, and everyday life have been transformed by the occupation. The sun and the magnifying glass function both as literal means of creation and as a metaphor for the possibility of seeing hitherto hidden stories. (Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival)