Articles

Statement on the GFT's refusal to endorse PACBI and BDS

Statement from Solidarity Screenings Glasgow on the refusal of the Glasgow Film Theatre to endorse PACBI and BDS

Glasgow Film Theatre has shamefully declared that it will not endorse PACBI and BDS. This comes as a shock to many who have over the years valued the GFT as Glasgow’s independent cinema. Known for programming anti-colonial radical films, the GFT has shown revolutionary art from across the world. Leila and the Wolves, Heiny Srour’s 1984 feature on the history of Palestinian and Lebanese women’s resistance to colonialism - British, French, and Zionist - sticks out as one of many Palestinian-Arab films included in the GFT’s programme in the past year. One might think this is part of the GFT’s so-called “Cinema For All”. In reality the GFT’s “Cinema For All” is a cinema for British army recruitment adverts. A cinema for the normalisation of a settler-colonial genocidal ethno-state. A cinema that is not ours.

We want to reaffirm that anti-colonial cinema is not an aesthetic, it is declaration of resistance to imperialism that has been instrumental in the Palestinian struggle for liberation. It is our duty to enact this resistance in every part of our lives. As cultural workers we need to live by the values we espouse. While enjoying the perks of screening anti-colonial cinema, the GFT has blatantly failed when material steps were demanded, revealing its complicity and blood-stained ties to Zionism. The GFT have failed as a cinema and community-space to Glaswegians, as well all those facing Zionist oppression.

It is on us, who stand with the cause for Palestinian liberation, to demand a reversal to the GFTs decision and call for all of Glasgow’s art and cultural institutions to materially stand with Palestine. The CCA’s board is scheduled to make a decision this week on whether it will give its backing to the boycott of the Zionist entity. Add your name to the call, leave your comments, demand CCA endorses PACBI! Please join our call on the CCA here

Free Palestine,

Glory to the martyrs,

Long live the resistance.