The film begins in 2004 (before the 2008-2009 Israeli attack on Gaza that left more than 1,400 dead) and ends in 2011. Where Should the Birds Fly? is two stories. One is the story of Mona Al Samouni, an 11-year-old girl whose family died when her home was hit by Israeli rockets during Operation Cast Lead. The other is the story of Fida Qishta, the filmmaker.

Fida’s story begins with the destruction of her family home in 2004, follows her work as a videographer documenting the daily life of Gazan fishermen and farmers struggle to work under siege, and concludes with the Israeli military attack at the end of 2008. Mona’s story begins at the end of that military attack in January 2009 and follows her efforts over several years to cope with witnessing the loss of most of her family during the attack.

While the film visually tells the story of the efforts of Gazans to live and work under conditions of siege and documents the horrific Israeli military attack, it is also about the struggle of these two women to maintain humanity, humor, and hope, and to find some sense of normalcy in a world that is anything but normal. Through the lens of the camera, we see the different sides of Gaza – the border, the lives of farmers and fishermen, the impact of military attack, and the effort to pick up shattered lives and maintain humanity.

Year: 2013

Time: 61 minutes

Watch the film for free here: https://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/play/52720/Where-Should-the-Birds-Fly

Watch the film through your public library here: https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/258737