Saturday, June 29, 12:00 p.m. | While millions of birds migrate freely in the skies, a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon yearns for the ancestral homeland she is denied. She challenges Sarah, the Director, to find an ancient mulberry tree that stands as witness to her family’s existence—with only inherited memories, a blind man and a two-headed dragon as her guides. Along the way, Sarah meets with ornithologists whose observations on the homing instincts of the birds highlight the unresolved problems of the region. Spanning fifteen years, this story of a friendship that stays connected across a divided land and a fragmented people adopts a birds’ eye perspective to reflect on freedom of movement, exile and the hope of return. Originally presented at the 23rd Chicago Palestine Film Festival in 2024. Followed by a pre-recorded interview with director, Sarah Beddington.

Founded in 2001, the Chicago Palestine Film Festival (CPFF) is an annual cultural event that serves as a vibrant platform for showcasing the rich and diverse narratives of Palestinian cinema. The festival provides a unique space for filmmakers, artists, and audience members to engage with compelling stories that explore the multifaceted aspects of Palestinian life. Through a carefully curated selection of feature films, documentaries, and shorts, the festival seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the Palestinian experience. Attendees can expect a thought-provoking and immersive cinematic journey, as the festival aims to celebrate the artistic contributions of both Palestinian filmmakers and filmmakers who make films about Palestine on an international stage. As the longest-running Palestine film festival in the world, the Chicago Palestine Film Festival, a program of the Middle East Charitable and Cultural Society Inc., a non-profit organization, stands as a testament to the power of collaborative storytelling. Learn more at palestinefilmfest.com.

Awards & Nominations

Winner - Amnesty International Award, Best Feature Film, San Sebastián Human Rights Film Festival
Winner - Best Documentary, Barnes Film Festival
Winner - Karama Feather Award, Best Documentary, Karama Human Rights Film Festival
Nominee - Palestinian Sunbird Documentary Award, Best Documentary, Palestine Cinema Days
Nominee - Discovery Award, British Independent Film Awards

Gene Siskel Film Center Festival Showcase: The Gene Siskel Film Center is the proud home or partner venue of nearly a dozen vibrant Chicago film festivals. The Gene Siskel Film Center Festival Showcase celebrates this vibrant programming and critical partnerships with this weekend spotlight. We invite frequent patrons of the Film Center and these festivals, as well as audience members curious to learn more to join us for a veritable film festival buffet!

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu