Identical Twins in Gaza Have Hollywood Dreams

"Let's be realistic. Our life is under siege, under control. People don't have time for art. They spend all their time looking for crumbs. They say, 'What use is art? Art will not give you bread.' "

New film examines the inner-Gaza conflict

(GAZA CITY Guardian) - The Guardian UK has a new report out that tells the story of two aspiring filmmakers in Gaza, 23-year old twins known locally as Tarzan and Arab.

Tarzan and Arab- in war-torn Gaza

Their real names are Ahmed and Mohamed Abu Nasser and they are indeed, unusual figures in Gaza.

With long hair and dangling beads and Converse All Stars smuggled from Egypt through the tunnels, these are two determined guys who just might make it.

Their appearance is reminiscent of youth in the United States and Europe during the 1960's and 1970's

The problem, as The Guardian notes, is that they have never been to a cinema, let alone Hollywood, London, New York or Paris.

Israel keeps men like the Nasser brothers locked in the tiny Gaza Strip with little chance of world travel, or return to their home if they did manage to leave.

Both attended university, and they are motivated to take the next step on the road to success with film and entertainment.

The good news for now is that Tarzan and Arab, who are identical twins by the way, completed an award-winning short movie and a remarkable set of cinema poster pastiches, and they say they are undeterred by the lack of training and modern equipment.

They also worked without funding.

"As artists we are restricted by living in a conservative and tough community," says Arab. "Let's be realistic. Our life is under siege, under control. People don't have time for art. They spend all their time looking for crumbs. They say, 'What use is art? Art will not give you bread.' "

The 23-year old brothers intend to pursue their dream of studying at a film school abroad, when the world finally allows them to.

Special thanks to The Guardian UK.

Please catch the rest of their report about Tarzan and Arab by visiting this link.