Origin: Palestine | Tunisia | Netherlands | Fiction | Director: Rashid Masharawi | 72 minutes

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Laila's Birthday

Rashid Masharawi 2009 fiction 72 min.

Abu Laila (played by Mohamed Bakri) used to be a judge. Now the government
doesn't have the means to pay him he is compelled to work as a taxi driver.
On the day his daughter Laila turns ten years old his wife insists he be
home early to bring her a present and a cake. Abu Laila has nothing else on
his mind other than completing this vital mission. But daily life in
Palestine has other plans for him.... Gaza born Mashrawi (Waiting, 2005
Tension, 1998 Haifa, 1996) has been at the forefront of Palestinian cinema
for over a decade, working across genres and with the finest acting and
production talent in the region. Laila's Birthday is his most accomplished
and engaging work yet, featuring a virtuoso turn from Bakri, a very clever
script, and some moments of inspired natural comedy. But while always
entertaining, in its original style, Laila's Birthday manages to expose and
confront many of the most serious issues facing Palestinians today. Laila's
Birthday had its UK premier at the 2008 London Film Festival.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hFLmBzGMjI

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View trailer