The Walled Off Hotel
Fall Grants 2024 - Production Stage
Amer Shomali / Web Series / Palestine, Germany, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Qatar / 60 min / Original Language: Arabic, English / Interests: Politics
Synopsis
“The experience takes users on a guided exploration of ‘The Walled-Off Hotel’ through a series of light-hearted, interactive moments. Ka, a quirky ex-pirate with a dry sense of humour, serves as your guide and impromptu hotel manager. Ka’s constant hustle to revitalise the hotel drives many of the interactions. From trying to sell you coffee, art tours, and souvenirs to persuading you to rent a room, Ka keeps you entertained with his witty commentary.
As you explore the hotel’s distinct rooms and areas, you’ll encounter iconic Banksy artwork, each piece offering a subtle yet poignant commentary on the Middle East conflict. Along the way, small puzzles and interactive moments deepen your engagement with the story, ultimately leading to the hotel’s final fate.
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Credits
- Director
- Amer Shomali
- Screenwriter
- Amer Shomali, Ross Dungan
- Producer
- May Odeh, Oliver Simon, Clarens Grollmann, Joram Willink
- Production Company
- Odeh Films, K5 Factory, Bind Film
About the Director
Amer Shomali is a Palestinian multidisciplinary artist who uses painting, films, digital media, installations, and comics to explore and engage with the sociopolitical landscape in Palestine. Much of his work examines the creation and use of the iconography of the Palestinian revolution. Shomali co-directed the award-winning animated documentary ‘The Wanted 18’, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2014. The film won Best Documentary awards at the Abu Dhabi, Carthage, Traverse City, and Al-Jazeera Film Festivals. ‘The Wanted 18’ was included in the official submission lists for the Foreign Language and Documentary categories of the 88th Oscars.