The Tea Boy of Gaza

Twelve–year–old Mahmoud sells tea. Every day he has to secretly sneak into a hospital in the Gaza Strip in order to help keep his family alive. But business is getting worse by the day. Since the 2006 victory of Hamas in elections in Palestine, the international community has ceased providing millions of dollars in financial aid. Six months after the polls, the Palestinian Authority is severely lacking in funds and unemployment that was originally at 30% has spiralled. Armed men are seeking to gain control of the hospitals while state employees, including doctors and nurses, have not been paid for six months. The Tea Boy of Gaza, an example of BBC World reporting, was shot before the Israeli Army recently retook control of Gaza. It brings the viewer closer to the authentic atmosphere of the Middle East conflict, explaining both its political and human dimensions. While the supporters and opponents of Hamas differ fundamentally on its chances of improving the catastrophic situation, Mahmoud hates politics; he just wants to survive and sell tea.

The partner of the screening is the International human rights documentary film festival One World.