Open Air Cinema - Yalla Parkour (OmeU)

"Yalla Parkour" shows images of a world that no longer exists: Gaza before October 7, 2023. Arreb Zuaiter, the author of the documentary, is of Palestinian origin and lives in Washington, D.C. She herself has only been to the Gaza Strip once with her parents, at the age of 4. There, by the sea, she saw her mother smile for the first time. A photo is all she has of that moment. In 2015, by chance, she discovered videos on the internet of parkour athletes on the beach in Gaza. A young man laughs into the camera. His lightheartedness reminds her of her happy mother, and Areeb's curiosity is immediately piqued. Ahmed Matar posts his videos on social media to gain attention. Gaza is a huge prison; it is almost impossible to leave. The parkour training, the thrill, the risky jumps in the sand dunes and ruins of Gaza are a way for him to escape his oppressive everyday life. It's about overcoming obstacles again and again, about constant, stubborn repetition, about countless attempts until the jump succeeds or—as Ahmed hopes—the prison door finally opens. For ten years, the director follows the endeavors of Ahmed Matar and his parkour troupe, developing a deep understanding of the problems he faces and developing a friendship. Areeb's search for home, identity, and belonging clashes with Ahmed's unwavering will to live a life of freedom.

"Yalla Parkour" has won multiple awards, including at the Berlinale, where it celebrated its European premiere in the spring. We are delighted to be able to show this timely and deeply personal film, which is currently not showing in German cinemas, exclusively at Ulme35.

We'll be showing the film in its original languages, Arabic and Swedish, with English subtitles, outside in our garden. Look forward to a summer movie night in your deckchair.

Since the number of headphones is limited, please register below. Feel free to bring your own headphones (with a small jack), which can be plugged into the adjacent seat. In case of inclement weather, we will show the film in the lecture hall.