Desc :Shot in Jerusalem, Ramallah and Los Angeles, DRIVING TO ZIGZIGLAND is a chronicle of a day in the life of a Bashar, a Palestinian cab driver in Los Angeles. Bashar holds tight onto the American Dream of becoming an actor in Hollywood but also longs to go back home to his legitimate theatrical acting job in Palestine, despite the Israeli occupation.
In Los Angeles, a film audition typecasts Bashar to play an Al Qaeda terrorist role. When Bashar gets home, he realizes the utilities payments are due and he has twenty-four hours to make the money. For the remaining hours left until tomorrow, an unceasing flow of passengers ride in Bashar's taxi and give the Arab cabbie the run-around on issues that deal with suicide bombers, George Bush, Cat Stevens, the war in Iraq, Rai music, and world geography. In a post-9/11 American day, Bashar falls into the interest of the F.B.I. and suffers a massive blow from the bureaucracy of the former INS, now Homeland Security.
All the while, Bashar's nostalgia of the Al Kasaba Theater in Ramallah, his place of work before being confined to his green American cab, poses the question of whether or not the American Dream is an idea really worth fighting for.
Bashar's quest to make the money is won until he realizes he must choose between the Department of Homeland Security and his own family.
Based on true stories.
A 2006 BintFilm US-Palestine Production
Comedy, 92 Minutes
WEBSITE: http://www.drivingtozigzigland.com
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2354660827
UPCOMING FESTIVAL SCREENINGS:
21st Singapore International Film Festival
http://www.filmfest.org.sg/world-cinema.php
Screening Date: April, 6, 2008
Time: 4:15PM
Location: National Museum
New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival
http://www.nolahumanrights.org
Screening Date: April 15, 2008
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Zeitgeist Theater, New Orleans
Salem Film Fest, Salem, Oregon
http://www.salemfilmfestival.com
Screening Date: April 19, 2008
Time: 2:00PM
Location: TBD
Del Ray Beach Film Festival, Florida
http://www.dbff.us
Festival Run: April, 2008
Screening Dates TBD
Chicago Palestine Film Festival
http://www.palestinefilmfest.com
Fest Run: April/May 2008
Screening Dates: TBD
Houston Palestine Film Festival
http://www.hpff.org
Fest Run: May 2008
Screening Dates TBD
Shintoku Film Festival, Japan
http://kuusounomori.com/
Festival Run: Sept 12-15, 2008
Screening Dates TBD
Toronto Palestine Film Festival
Festival Run: Oct 23 - Nov 1, 2008
Screening Dates: TBD