Mayor: Documentary screening
Saturday 22 May 2021 from 5pm to 7pm
Mayor is a real-life political saga following Musa Hadid, the Christian mayor of Ramallah, during his second term in office. Surrounded on all sides by Israeli settlements and soldiers, most people in Ramallah will never have the chance to travel more than a few miles outside their home, which is why Mayor Hadid is determined to make the city a beautiful and dignified place to live.
His immediate goals: repave the sidewalks, attract more tourism, and plan the city's Christmas celebrations. His ultimate mission: to end the occupation of Palestine. Made over two years, the film follows charismatic yet beleaguered Mayor Hadid as he tends to his hometown during one of the most tumultuous times in Palestine's history. Combining the neorealism of a Rossellini film with the absurdist humour of Veep, Mayor offers a portrait of dignity amidst the madness of endless occupation while posing a question: how do you run a city when you don’t have a country?
“Gripping and surprisingly witty... Astonishing.” – Variety
"Blends black comedy and unnerving suspense for a fascinating look at life under occupation." – IndieWire
Mayor is screening as part of Antenna Selects, a curated selection of physical screenings and events, bringing Sydney audiences some of the best international documentary premieres right through to May 2021.