Al Awda (2024)

Director: Jason Soo Genre: Documentary Cast: Dr Ang Swee Chai, Dr Afandi Salleh, Yonatan Shapira, Zohar Chamberlain Regev Synopsis: On a fishing boat, 22 activists from 15 countries are sailing to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Among them are Singaporean exile Dr Ang Swee Chai and Malaysian academic Dr Afandi Salleh. Their mission is shaped by a past tragedy. In 2010, Israeli commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara ship that was heading towards Gaza. Ten activists were killed and over 50 wounded. As the activists sail across the Mediterranean, they prepare for the inevitable confrontation with the Israeli navy. Through rehearsals and discussions, the activists practice mutual care, navigate spoken and unspoken fears, and make decisions based on consensus. Whether it is the ongoing genocide in Gaza or the climate crisis that has now passed multiple tipping points, our world is in need of urgent collective liberation. By showing how ordinary people can come together and put solidarity into practice, this film invites the audience to take action.