OPEN BETHLEHEM is a story of a homecoming to the world's most famous little town. The film spans seven momentous years in the life of Bethlehem, revealing a city of astonishing beauty and political strife under occupation.

Film director Leila Sansour returns to Bethlehem to make a film about her home town, soon to be encircled by a wall.

Armed with her camera and a dilapidated family car that keeps breaking down, Leila plans to make an epic film about a legendary town in crisis..... Leila finds herself trapped behind a wall in the very place she so much wanted to leave. The face of Bethlehem is changing rapidly with potentially detrimental consequences. Reports predict that if trends continue the Christian community of Bethlehem, a city that provides a model for a multi faith Middle East, may be unsustainable within one generation. Leila's plan to stay a year stretches to seven....

Hastings PSC is pleased to organise the showing of Open Bethlehem. The film was launched in the UK during Christmas 2014 and will be launched in the USA during Christmas 2015. This is the first showing in Hastings. To help fund this event, we have started a fundraising appeal. Even if you won't be able to see the film on December 8th, you're still more than welcome to contribute: Open Bethlehem Fundraiser.

Trailer: Open Bethlehem.