Yousef Alhelou: Palestinian filmmaker and journalist speaking in Derry

Unseen footage of Gaza’s beauty and the resilience of its residents has been captured by Palestinian filmmaker and journalist, Yousef Alhelou.

His unique, personal film “The Phoenix of Gaza: A city lost to genocide” was shot just weeks before the genocide began; it shows rare footage of Gaza before its destruction and efforts to eradicate the people and infrastructures. The film now serves as an archive of Gaza’s past. 

“The Phoenix of Gaza” will be screened in Derry’s Nerve Centre, on Friday, April 4, at 7.00pm.

This is a fundraising event for Gaza, during which Yousef Alhelou will give a talk followed by a question and answer session.

Tickets to the screening can be obtained at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-phoenix-of-gaza-tickets-1273597908629.

The following day, Saturday, April 5, Yousef Alhelou, will speak at an event in The Museum of Free Derry, hosted by the Bloody Sunday Trust.

Trust director, Maeve McLaughlin said: “We are honored to host a conversation with Palestinian filmmaker and journalist Yousef Alhelou.

“In July 2023, just weeks before the genocide began, Yousef returned to his homeland after a decade away. His goal was to document Gaza’s vibrant culture, history, and everyday life. Equipped with a camera, he captured rare footage of Gaza’s historic buildings, bustling markets, serene beaches, and cherished community spaces — footage that would soon become a haunting archive of a place now devastated by war.

“This event is a unique opportunity to hear directly from Yousef as he reflects on his journey, his work, and the heartbreaking transformation of his homeland. Through his insights, we will explore the role of journalism in preserving truth, the power of storytelling in the face of unimaginable loss, and Gaza’s enduring spirit of resistance and hope.

“A descendant of refugees, Yousef’s life was shaped by the ongoing occupation and violence in Gaza. His passion for journalism was born out of a desire to share the truths of his homeland. Now based in London, Yousef is a respected independent journalist, political analyst, and filmmaker. His archive of Gaza serves as a testament to the lives, culture, and spirit of a society that refuses to be erased.

“Tragically, Yousef’s own family has been deeply affected by the ongoing assault on Gaza. On December 10th, 2023, his sister and her seven children were killed in an Israeli strike, their bodies still buried beneath the rubble. Dozens of Yousef’s relatives and journalist colleagues are among the nearly 50,000 killed.

“Join us for this powerful conversation and bear witness to the untold stories of Gaza through Yousef’s eyes,” said Maeve McLaughlin.

Tickets for this event can be obtained here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/conversation-with-palestinian-filmmaker-and-journalist-yousef-alhelou-tickets-1304095708369?aff=oddtdtcreator. 

There is a suggested donation of £5 at the door to Hope Food Project, a grassroots charity providing essential food aid and humanitarian support to families in Gaza.