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Despite Hamas restrictions, Gaza actresses seek stage

The Hamas-led security apparatuses in Gaza limits the ability of actresses to play parts in high-profile movies as they are forced to wear the veil and avoid contact with male co-stars.
Palestinian children from the Al-Qarawi family watch television in a tent in the northern Gaza Strip June 9, 2010. The tent was erected after their family's house was destroyed during Israel's three-week offensive in Gaza last year. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR2EY18

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — I downloaded the French-Tunisian movie “Blue is the Warmest Color,” particularly because it won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Despite the chronic electricity shortages in Gaza, I downloaded and watched the movie depicting the lives of two lesbians with all their woes, disappointments and isolation, shedding light on the challenges of their sexuality. I was shocked by the explicit scenes in the movie. But Tunisian director Abdullatif Kechiche portrayed the scenes in an innovative and unrestrained way, integral to the plot. 

The following morning, I was going to interview Palestinian actresses about the challenges they face in Gaza. Here, I was shocked in a different way, by the hypocrisy these actresses face.

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