3000 Nights

by Mai Masri

Product Availability

Institutional, Community Screenings, Educational, Festivals

About the Film

Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri’s stunning feature debut is inspired by a true story and shot in a real prison. 3000 NIGHTS traces a young mother’s journey of hope, resilience and survival against all odds.

Accused of helping a teenage boy on the run, Layal, a newlywed Palestinian schoolteacher, finds herself incarcerated in a top security prison for Palestinian and Israeli women. After Layal discovers that she is pregnant, the prison director pressures her to get an abortion and spy on the Palestinian inmates. Terrified but defiant, she gives birth to her child in chains.

Through her struggle to raise her son behind bars, Layal manages to find a sense of hope and meaning to her life. When prison conditions deteriorate and the Palestinian prisoners decide to strike, the prison director warns her against joining the strike and threatens to take her child away. In a moment of truth, Layal is forced to make a choice that will forever change her life.

Distribution Availability: Canada

2015 · 1h43m · France, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine

Arabic, English, French

English, French subs

Festivals and Awards

2016

Washington DC International Film Festival, USA, Circle Jury Award

2016

Paysages de Cinéastes Festival, France, Youth Jury Award

2016

Paysages de Cinéastes Festival, France, Women’s Jury Award

2016

Annonay International Film Festival, France, Audience Award

2016

International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, Switzerland, Young Jury Award

2016

Taormina International Film Festival, Italy, TaoEdu Youth Award

2016

Malmo Arab Film Festival, Sweden , Best Film & Audience Award

2016

Rotterdam Arab Camera Film Festival, Netherlands, Audience Award

2016

Twin City Arab Camera Film Festival, USA, Audience Award

2016

European Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Traverse City Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Seattle International Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Toronto Palestine Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Tetouan Mediterranean Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Boston Palestine Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Asian World Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Mediterranean Film Festival of Annaba, Algeria, Best Actress Award

2016

Goa International Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

San Fransisco Arab Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Washington DC Internation Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Stockholm International Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Festival Arte Mare, Bastia, France, Kantara Award

2016

Sydney Internation Film Festival, Official Selection

2016

Le Festival du Film Arabe de Fameck, France , Press Prize

2016

Palm Springs International Film Festival, Official Selection

2015

Toronto International Film Festival, Official Selection

2015

BUSAN International Film Festival, Official Selection

2015

BFI London Film Festival, Official Selection

2015

Dubai International Film Festival, Official Selection

2015

Talinn Black Night Film Festival, Official Selection

2015

WIFTS (Women‘s International Film & Television Showcase), USA, Jury Award

2015

Valladolid International Film Festival, Spain, Audience Award

2011

Carthage Film Festival, Tunisia, Best Screenplay

Screenings

March 12, 2019

Part of Hamilton Voices of Palestine Film Series (Hamilton, ON)

August 17, 2019

Tiff Bell Lightbox (Toronto, ON)

November 29, 2018

Regards palestiniens, Cinémathèque québécoise (Montreal, QC)

October 30, 2018

SPHR Dawson (Montreal, QC)

Credits

Editor

Michele Tyan

Cinematographer

Gilles Porte

Producer

Mai Masri, Sabine Sidawi, Charlotte Uzu

Sound Editor

Rena Eid

Translator

May Makarem

“3000 Nights is a strong and important film that tells a story we should all hear. Please see this film and see it now!”

“A poetic, compelling and raw allegory for freedom under occupation.”

“A Gripping Tale of Injustice and the Triumph of the Human Spirit.”

“Masri's mastery of her cinematic craft enables a vision of colonial incarceration that no mere critical thinking can do.”

About the Director

Mai Masri

Mai Masri is a Palestinian filmmaker who studied at San Francisco State University, USA. Her films were screened worldwide and won over 90 awards. Recognized for her work that focuses on women and children in a humanistic and poetic approach, her feature film, 3000 Nights (2015) had its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival and won 28 awards. Mai worked closely with her late husband filmmaker, Jean Chamoun and earned international acclaim with her films: Children of Fire, Woman for Her Time, Children of Shatila, Frontiers of Dreams and Fears, Beirut Diaries, 33 Days, War Generation, Suspended Dreams, Under the Rubble, Wildflowers.

(Image by Nicolas Spiess via IMEU. Biography courtesy of the Institute for Palestine Studies.)

3000 Nights

Distribution Availability: Canada

“3000 Nights is a strong and important film that tells a story we should all hear. Please see this film and see it now!”

“A poetic, compelling and raw allegory for freedom under occupation.”

“A Gripping Tale of Injustice and the Triumph of the Human Spirit.”

“Masri's mastery of her cinematic craft enables a vision of colonial incarceration that no mere critical thinking can do.”

Mai Masri

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