July War
by William Brandon Jourdan
July War takes a raw and unflinching look at the devastating first-hand effects of the 2006 Israeli military offensive in Lebanon. This powerful documentary examines the broader impact of the global war on terrorism, using the war in Lebanon as a specific case study, and questions whether it has actually curbed, or perhaps increased, Islamic militancy. It also reflects on the US and Iranian role in the war and the failures of current policy in the Middle East by Western governments and their allies.

The documentary covers many angles of this complex war and its devastating impact on Lebanon's people, economy, and environment, and allows for a broader public audience to access this complicated political situation. Simultaneously, this documentary carefully deconstructs Israel's pretext for starting the conflict, the failure of both sides to avoid civilian deaths, the United States' role in the conflict, the role of Hizbullah in Lebanese society and as a proxy for Iran and Syria, and the failure of the United Nations to implement a ceasefire.  July War combines stock footage and interviews with academics, politicians, human rights' experts, military officials, and journalists with cinema verite footage of Lebanese civilians in areas hard hit by the 2006 war.

 

 

 

About the Filmmaker

William Brandon Jourdan is an award-winning independent filmmaker, journalist, and writer. Recently, Jourdan's films and journalism have focused primarily on the Middle East. His current film, the July War, is based on the 2006 war in Lebanon and the consequences of the war. Jourdan has contributed to the Democracy Now!, New York Times, New York Daily News, Univision, Newsday, Reuters, Link TV, Deep Dish TV, the Independent Media Center, Now with Bill Moyers, Foreign Exchange, Free Speech Television, the INN World Report, and to Amnesty International video projects.  His films have screened at film festivals around the world, the Museum of Modern Art, and in the 2006 Whitney Biennial.    

 

2 Bay Area Screenings

with filmmaker Brandon Jourdan
San Francisco: Sunday, May 31
New Nothing Cinema
16 Sherman Street
Between 6th street and 7th street, off of Folsom, in SOMA
8 p.m.

Oakland: Tuesday, June 2
AK Press
674-A 23rd St. (Between MLK and San Pablo Ave.)
7 p.m.

Free To All, Donations Accepted. for info: 415.255.6304