GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The lights were dim and the audience whispered. The viewers watched the screen to see what would happen to the hero of the film “Oversized Coat,” which screened Dec. 26  at the Red Crescent Society hall. Gazans watched the film in an uplifted mood, one the city had been not seen for decades.

Before the outbreak of Al-Aqsa intifada in 1987, around six film theaters could be found in the Gaza Strip. However, screenings in these theaters stopped after Gazans’ priorities shifted toward resistance, and after some opposed the content of the films shown and deemed them immoral.

Messaab al-Hindi, the director of Ain Media who organized the film screening, said that the film premiere initiative was taken by the director of "Oversized Coat," Nawras Abu Saleh, a Palestinian refugee residing in Jordan. He had contacted Ain Media and expressed his desire to screen the film for a second time in a private atmosphere that could restore the cinema spirit in Gaza.

The film premiere took place on Dec. 15, marking the 28th anniversary of Al-Aqsa intifada, in the conference room of the Islamic University of Gaza. But the turnout was low, given that the announcement was only made to the students. The university hall is dedicated to the students and staff and is not open to the public. Therefore, people asked for a second screening.