________________________________________________________________
We would like to draw your attention to an event at St Ethelburga’s, London
March 15th, 2010 7:00 PM
Tea on the Axis of evil
A new film about real life in Syria + Q & A with the Director, Jean Marie Offenbacher
Dir: Jean Marie Offenbacher, U.S.A., July 2008
When Syria was admitted to the “Axis of Evil”, Offenbacher decided to move there, alone, to record ordinary life and create a document to stimulate healthy curiosity about this Arab country and counter the vilification that dominated the media and White House rhetoric.
Syria has the second lowest crime rate in the world. The men are respectful and poetic. When they do take notice, they use lines like, “I want to die and be reborn as your necklace”. She raced Bedouins on horseback and was safe sleeping in the desert with 14 men. She felt no fear walking alone in cities late at night.
Syria’s intricate dance between tradition and modernity reveals itself as a range of sensual and amusing characters discuss dating, marriage, education, art, politics and religion. People are kind and educated. A myriad of different religions and sects coexist harmoniously. As the country is left in a diplomatic vacuum the government becomes less progressive and the fear of radical Islam grows.
A writer blames the government for using fear of religious extremists to control society. A government minister, Dr Bouthaina Shaaban, identifies the rise of Islam as a response to external pressures against Arabs. She concludes that the current political climate encourages Islamic extremists and undermines moderate voices.
Syria should be the model for change in the Middle East; the moderate voices are far more numerous and speak to the great possibility of peace in the region starting with Syria.
“Tea on the Axis of Evil” provides an intimate passage through Syria that gives voice to moderates as it seeks to build a bridge to greater understanding between our worlds.
Offenbacher hopes the exceptional kindness she experienced in Syria comes across in “Tea”. In Syria people say, “We are terrorists, we kill visitors with caffeine.”
Admission: £10; Concessions £5
Please contact St Ethelburga’s, not FODIP, if you are interested.
St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace
78 Bishopsgate
London, EC2N 4AG
United Kingdom
Phone: 020 7496 1610; www.stethelburgas.org
1
