CPH:DOX X RIGHT TO MOVEMENT: Palestine Marathon

Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, is the largest documentary film festival in Scandinavia. Each year, the festival fills Copenhagen’s cinemas with a selection of more than 200 films from around the world. The dates for 2014 are November 6th-16th. ‘Palestine marathon – the documentary’  Last year some of my running buddies ran a marathon in April – we run all the time – in all the classic marathon cities but this one was different – They returned from Bethlehem after running the second Palestine marathon. The marathon was organised by two danes Lærke Hein and Signe Fischer Smidt and their journey to set up the ambitious project was documented in the conflict region is screened here at CPH:DOX Saturday. I  asked my good friend Nanna founder of Voltwomen who ran it this year to share her experiences: How is the Palestine marathon different than other marathons? The crazy thing is that there is no 42.2K route – it does not exist. The area is cut off by checkpoints and the wall. So the route is 10k out and back – twice. So the whole premise of the race is so evident – movement is restricted – and everybody has the right to move – we ran because of that. The first year there were around 500 runners and this year 2500 – it is such a big deal – and to see women and men running together is so great too. The power of such message is much bigger than we realise here. I really felt it made sense to run not just for a cause but with a cause. What Lærke and Signe have created with their organisation ‘Right to movement’ is so strong. How was the atmosphere? The atmosphere was amazing – so welcoming and friendly – I’ve never seen so many happy faces and handed out so many high fives – which was nice as the route was killing me – and the heat too. It’s tough but wonderful. At the same time as I was there my photographer friend Josh was held in Gaza after witnessing extreme brutality – and our correspondence meant a lot for the experience – I gave him hope with our positive running stories and he framed the importance of the message. This is not your average souvenir marathon. Are you going next year? I’ll do everything I can to go back – and now that the org. Right to Movement have communities in Acca Ghana and Amman – hope this means new amazing experiences – and hope to travel there some day too. You should come – everyone should experience the true meaning of movement.   This saturday Right to Movement is hosting The Chapter challenge 15k race here in Copenhagen. Nanna and I are running Please come and join us. Sign up here: Right to movement.    See the full program here: CPH: DOX.