Berlinale’s Pluto Film backs Mathijs Poppe’s debut feature ”The Jacket”
A compelling story set in Beirut’s Shatila Refugee Camp
Berlin-based sales agent Pluto Film has announced its involvement with ”The Jacket,” the feature debut of filmmaker Mathijs Poppe. This poignant film is set to make its international premiere at the prestigious International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), specifically within the Luminous selection.
“The Jacket” intricately portrays the life of Jamal Hindawi, a Palestinian man living in exile with his family at the Shatila Refugee Camp in Beirut, Lebanon. Together with his comrades, Jamal engages in political theater to emphasize their bond with their homeland, Palestine, and highlight the struggles they face as refugees in Lebanon. The narrative intensifies when Jamal embarks on a quest to recover a crucial lost theater prop, revealing the extensive political and economic crises impacting the region and its people.
The filmmaker’s journey to Shatila
Poppe first encountered Jamal approximately 13 years ago, at the age of 19, during a visit to the Shatila refugee camp. Poppe was volunteering at a youth center, armed with a camera to document the lives and stories of the camp’s inhabitants. His initial aim was to create a documentary shedding light on the condition of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
Reflecting on this experience, Poppe recalls, “As I filmed the people who had welcomed me warmly, I realized my questions were perpetuating stereotypes, casting them solely as victims. Instead of building connections, my camera seemed to create more distance, and I chose not to use the footage when I returned to Belgium.”
Reimagining the narrative: From documentary to fiction
Over the subsequent years, Poppe recognized the need for a paradigm shift in the filmmaker-subject relationship to alter the pervasive narrative. He began introducing fictional contexts as a collaborative approach with the people of Shatila, aiming to tell a shared story. With Jamal’s theater background, he invited Jamal and his family to join in creating a new film.
Poppe’s approach culminated in his graduation project at the KASK School of Arts in Ghent, titled “Ours Is a Country of Words” (2017). This collaboration fostered a deep connection with Jamal, whose unwavering passion for storytelling and acting was evident throughout the process.
Poppe shares, “I spent so much time with Jamal and his family that we grew very close. There was a mutual trust that’s difficult to describe. As Jamal recounted tales from one of his plays, I realized that his use of fiction to interpret his situation in exile could serve as a foundation for a new film.”
The collaborative effort behind “The Jacket”
“The Jacket” brings together a formidable production team. Produced by Elisa Heene for Mirage and co-produced by Elisa Sepulveda Ruddoff for Fulgurance (France), Noortje Wilschut for Family Affair Films (the Netherlands), and Lara Abou Saifan from Placeless Films (Lebanon), the film underscores a collaborative spirit transcending borders.
Poppe’s innovative approach to storytelling through “The Jacket” offers a fresh perspective on the plight of Palestinian refugees, portraying them as agents of their narrative rather than mere victims. This project not only promises to captivate audiences but also aims to shift the prevailing discourse surrounding refugee stories.
Anticipation for the IDFA premiere
With the support of Pluto Film, the anticipation surrounding “The Jacket” at the IDFA is palpable. The festival’s Luminous selection highlights films that offer deep insights and resonate on a personal level—qualities that “The Jacket” embodies through its real-life portrayal of resilience, creativity, and hope.
“The Jacket” is more than just a film; it is a testament to the power of storytelling in bridging cultural gaps and fostering understanding. As the international film community eagerly awaits the premiere, “The Jacket” is set to leave an indelible mark on audiences and critics alike.
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