KASh kASH
Feature Documentary Film (2020)
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Director: Lea Najjar
Co Author : Alia Haju
Producer: Max Brunner, Matthias Drescher
Line Producer: Jinane Dagher
D.OP.: Jonas Schneider
Editor: Tobias Wilhelmer
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A production of
Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg &
FFL Film und Fernsehlabor Ludwisgburg
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Distributed by
My hometown, Beirut, is torn apart by a corrupt political elite, anti-government protests, and one of the biggest explosions of the 21st century. But above the roofs of the city, I discovered an unexpected bearer of hope: the pigeon game of chance "Kash Hamam".
Every evening, the sky populates, and all over the city swarms fly out of their cages. Their flight follows the choreography of an ancient tradition. Each player holds their own flock and lets it circle over his house, with the chance to lure the pigeons of the neighbors onto his roof to expand his flock.
During the recent political collapse of Lebanon, we embark on a journey from roof to roof. When it all perishes, why do we hold on to flying? The film observes a city in turmoil from the perspective of three pigeon players and a young girl fighting to release her own birds.
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Funded by
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Awards
Participant at DOK.forum München Pitch Award 2019
Caligari Film Förderpreis 2019
Part of Qumra Masters 2020
Winner of German Documentaryfilm Award 2023
Jury Statement: “In this masterfully crafted film, filmmaker Lea Najjar and her editor Tobias Wilhelmer tell of the struggle for survival in times of political upheaval, of laughter and the longing for freedom in a sinking world.”
Winner of CPH:DOX Next:Wave Award
Jury Statement: “From a tiny anecdote, this film expands its cinematic universe and unveils the disillusionment of an entire city – an entire country. From the opening scene’s claustrophobic setting to the final wide eye of an artificial pigeon, witnessing the place it took flight from. We, the jury, wish to give this year’s Next: Wave Award to a piece of delicate yet vigorous cinema: ‘Kash Kash’ “
Winner of First Steps Award 2022
Jury Statement: “... A metaphor and a touching film. Lea Najjar is present without disturbing - with empathetic conversations, a closely watching camera and a montage that coherently blends the different protagonists and cinematic levels. The film develops a playful lightness, like the flocks of doves, high above Beirut.”
Winner of Special Jury Price at Millenium Festival
Jury Statement: “For the masterful and original way that the director raises social, humane, and political issues through the stories of the people and their particular realities, she follows in their everyday life. Also for the metaphorical dimension of their relation to birds and aspiration for more life opportunities”
Winner of - "Best Documentary", EnergaCAMERIMAGE
Winner of - "First Film Award & ASBU Special Mention & Broadcasting Award 2M (Morocco)", at Le PriMed, Festival de la Méditerranée en images, France (2022)
Festivals
CPH:DOX, Denmark (2022)
Dok.fest Munich, Germany (2022)
Millennium Festival Brussels, Belgium (2022)
Ethnocineca - Ethnographic And Documentary Filmfest (Opening Film) Austria (2022)
Karlsruher Dokumentarfestival dokKa, Germany (2022)
Durban International Film Festival, South Africa (2022)
Dokufest, View From the World Kosovo August (2022)
Apricot Tree Ujan International Documentary Film Festival, Competition, Armenia (2022)
Filmfestival Kitzbühel, Austria (2022)
International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, International Section, India (2022)
BlackStar Film Festival, USA (2022)
German Film Week, Lebanon (2022)
First Steps Awards, Germany (2022)
Ajyal Film Festival, Quatar (2022)
MOVE IT! Filmfestival für Menschenrechte, Germany (2022)
DOC NYC, USA (2022)
Cork International Film Festival, Cinematic Documentary Award competition, Ireland (2022)
Filmschau Baden-Württemberg, Competitoon Best Docunentary Germany (2022)
MiradasDoc, Guía de Isora International Documentary Film Festival Spain (2023)
Göteborg Film Festival, Voyage section, Sweden (2023)
Berlin International Film Festival, Perspektive Deutsches Kino, Germany (2023)
