Today the Varsity theater will begin to screen “From Ground Zero: Stories from Gaza.” The collection of 22 short films depict life during annihilation and bombardment by Israeli forces in Gaza. The oscar-nominated production includes the use of documentary, fiction, and animation film styles to weave together stories of daily life that take place behind the headlines.

Film critic Matt Zoller Seitz offers a glimpse into what viewers can expect from several of the short films, including a film by Karim Satoum:

““Hell’s Heaven” is a potent little metaphor presented as a physical experience: a man wakes up in a tent inside of a body bag with no idea how he got in it, then unzips it, walks around all day, and returns at night to zip himself back up again. Functionally, he might as well be dead; the rest is details,” Seitz writes.

Overseeing director Rashid Masharawi was joined by Michael Moore late in the production timeline as co-producer, supporting wider visibility for the anthology of films. 

Seitz continues with his vivid description:

“The common thread linking all the pieces is the desire to make personal art no matter what obstacles are placed in the artist’s path. Even amid so much murder and destruction, the urge to create abides. For all its horror and sadness, this is one of the most hopeful films I’ve ever seen.

The Varsity Theater will screen From Ground Zero from January 24 – 30 at 7:20 p.m. each evening with two additional matinee screenings at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.