Unfinished Stories

Strong and painful stories from Gaza

During the genocide in Gaza, filmmaker Nidal tries to document the people living in the midst of the disaster – the stories that arise in loss, in everyday life and in pure survival. But time and time again, the stories are interrupted. As if the war itself not only destroys lives, but also makes it impossible to finish a story.

With stubborn optimism, he continues to search for a story that can hold a glimmer of hope in a reality where everything is unpredictable and extremely brutal. Then he is struck by the worst imaginable; he loses his own son. At that moment, he is no longer just the narrator – he becomes part of the story itself.

Unfinished Stories is a strong and painful film about trying to hold on to meaning when nothing is allowed to be complete, and when no stories are allowed to be finished.

Conversation after the screening (in English)

Unfinished Stories: War, Memory and Generational Trauma

Unfinished Stories follows filmmaker Nidal Damo in Gaza as war repeatedly interrupts the narratives he tries to capture, culminating in his own family’s loss. After the screening, the panel explores the psychological and generational consequences of continuous violence. The session invites the audience to reflect on memory, resilience and what it takes to break cycles of trauma.

Participants:

Rasmi Damo, brother of filmmaker Nidal Damo and one of the founders of the From Ground Zero film project, which Unfinished Stories is part of.

Helen Christie, clinical psychologist and advisor at MHHRI

Moderator: Nora Sveaass, clinical psychologist, professor emeritus at the University of Oslo; chair of the board at MHHRI.

In collaboration with Solidarity Hub at the University of Oslo and Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI).

In cooperation with Solidarity Hub at University of Oslo and Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI).