2009 Press Releases
U.S. Consulate General Sponsors “A Day at the Movies” for Palestinian Youth
July 27, 2009
Jerusalem
NABLUS – The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem is supporting the new “Cinema City” movie theater in Nablus by purchasing tickets for over 300 Palestinian youth involved in the U.S. Government-sponsored English Access Microscholarship program and Camp Discovery summer program. Throughout the week, the students and their teachers will gather at Cinema City for viewings of the Disney/Pixar movie “Wall-E.” The American film, which won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, touches on important themes related to environmental protection and the importance of friendship.
Cinema City is the only operating movie theater in Nablus and the first to open its doors in Nablus in more than 25 years. It is a privately funded and owned theater open seven days a week, with four shows per day. The theater offers movies for all audiences, including action, family, and comedy films from all over the world, including the United States.
The Consulate General-sponsored “Day at the Movies” will be the first time some of the participating youth will experience watching a movie in a theater. In addition, “this will be the first experience for kids to be exposed to American-style cinema, which will give them greater exposure to American culture and the wider world” said Maha Hasan, Assistant Country Director at Amideast, which oversees the youth programs involved.
Cinema City’s Project Director, Bashir Mazen Al-Shakah, said that the people of Nablus have always loved going to the theater and being entertained. Nablus used to be home to three movie theaters, but the last one closed in 1983. Al-Shakah said that Cinema City “renewed the cultural life of Nablus.” Since its opening on June 20, 2009, the theater has attracted teenagers and families alike with their variety of films.
For more information please contact the U.S. Consulate’s Press Office at 02-622-6908 or 02-622-6909.
