On October 4, 2024, the film *"We Will Not Forget the Children of Palestine"* premiered in cinemas across several Japanese cities. The film, originally titled "Eleven Days in May", has been translated into Japanese and is receiving significant media attention, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians, many of whom are children.
The film, co-directed by Palestinian filmmaker Mohammed Sawwaf and British director Michael Winterbottom, was produced in 2022 by the Palestinian company “Alef Multimedia” and the British “Revolution Films”. It commemorates 68 children from Gaza who were killed during the Israeli offensive in May 2021.
Japanese media outlets have extensively covered the film, hosting interviews with both directors. In the film's premiere, Sawwaf and Winterbottom addressed the Japanese audience via a virtual appearance. Sawwaf spoke from Gaza, under the rubble of a building that was bombed, claiming the lives of 47 members of his family, while Winterbottom joined from London.
The filmmakers expressed their deep gratitude for the film's global release two years after its production, emphasizing the importance of reminding the world of the suffering of Gaza's children, especially amid the current conflict. In his address, Sawwaf urged viewers to take action, stating that everyone has the power to help stop the killing of innocent people and children in Gaza.
The film is expected to run in Japanese cinemas for several weeks, attracting considerable attention from both audiences and the media.