Film

Beyond the Wall

Freedom through climbing in a divided land
 
Anas Askar in Palestine's first climbing gym. © Ray Wood

About

Running time

10 minutes

Country / Nationality

UK

Our Judges say:

BMC take us east improve to ask the benefits of climbing to a different Society.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

A glimpse into the developing climbing culture in Palestine.

Anna Paxton

Fascinating documentary on Palestinian climbing - really interesting, really fun

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

The potential of climbing to bridge political divisions

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

In spring 2016, the first climbing gym was opened in Palestine as part of the Wadi Climbing project, to help develop the Palestinian climbing community. Based in the West Bank city of Ramallah and close to the nearby wall crossing point of Qalandiya to reach East Jerusalem, these are places better known as flashpoints for Israeli/Palestinian tensions. 

Primarily through the eyes of West Bank residents, Anas Askar and his brother Urwah, the film takes a look at being a climber in Palestine and the problems that impromptu roadblocks and illegal settlements can mean in order to just reach the crag. 

Ultimately, irrespective of where we live the film hopefully shows that to a lesser or greater degree the reasons why we climb are the same. Filmmaker, Ray Wood, and writer, Ed Douglas, worked together on the short film that Paul Difley put together in the edit room.