A heart from Jenin

In November 2005 Ahmed, a twelve year old palestinian boy, was shot by an Israeli snyper. He was driven to the hospital in Haifa, in coma, where he later on died. His parents decided to donate his organs, and his heart was given to a twelve year old Israeli girl. ”We are sending a message to the world that we love peace”, the parents of Ahmed says. Twelve of Ahmeds organs were donated, to be used for any one in need of new ones, no matter if the reciever was jewish, muslim, or a christian. Samah, who got Ahmeds heart, is living in health and happiness. A young girl from Israel with a palestinian heart. For anyone having children, it wouldn’t matter whose organ you get or to whom you would donate. In the conflict between Israel and Palestine, it becomes a political act.

Cecilia Parsberg, is a Swedish visual artist who has been working with documentary film projects for a long time. She has done projects in the town ships in South Africa, has taught at Art Schools and done several projects with political and social aim. The film ”A heart of Jenin” is, she describes, a way to show that ordinary people has the power to connect to each other, and do so all the time over boarders of religious beliefs, nations, gender and ethnic background. The two families in the film show that ordinary people want something else than terrorist attacks and war.

Download ”A heart of Jenin” here or read about more about it here.