The love of home

How did you come up with the rather unusual story of "Gaza mon Amour"?

Arab and Tarzan Nasser: The idea for the film came to us in 2013 when we heard the story of a fisherman who had found a real statue of the god Apollo in the Mediterranean Sea off Gaza - which was subsequently confiscated by the government. We then started to write a love story around it.

What's the story behind Apollo's erect penis?

Arab and Tarzan Nasser:Apollo, the god of love, music, beauty and poetry, comes from the sea and meets the simple fisherman Issa, who has similar characteristics to Apollo. The god's erect penis, which is a symbol of strength and authority, is then accidentally broken off by Issa in the film - a metaphor for the daily sexual, social, political and economic oppression of the people of Gaza.

Where did you shoot the film?

Arab and Tarzan Nasser: We shot the entire film in Jordan, only the waterfront and harbour scenes were shot in Tavira in the south of Portugal. It's not exactly easy to shoot a big film in Gaza. The Israeli blockade and closure of the Gaza Strip are particularly problematic - and of course the censorship by the government.

How did the collaboration with the Hamburg company Riva Filmproduktion come about? Was anyone else from Hamburg involved in the film?

Arab and Tarzan Nasser: The collaboration was set up by our great Executive Producers Marie Legrand and Rani Massalha, who had already worked with Riva on the film "Sibel". The sound team and part of the camera team were from Hamburg, as was a large part of the equipment. For the soundtrack, we worked with Andre Matthias - colour grading and VFX were also created in Hamburg at Post Republic.

It sounds like you've paid a lot of attention to the music. Sometimes it sounds like a whole orchestra. Tell us a bit more about it.

Arab and Tarzan Nasser: When we wrote the script, we were already thinking about a waltz rhythm. It simply suited Issa's style, the melancholy of the whole situation, the love story and the romance - it also gives the story a universal character. Some other songs by Julio Iglesias, for example, or a few famous Arab singers emphasise Issa's romantic lifestyle. We then worked our way through the film with the German composer Andre Matthias, who composes with great attention to detail and turns every musical moment into something special.

You have lived in different countries in recent years - you currently live in France. Is there a place outside of Gaza where you have felt at home?

Arab and Tarzan Nasser: There is no place like the place where you were born. For us, there is no other home than Gaza.

"Gaza mon Amour" or "Last Chance for Love": Which title do you think fits the film better?

Arab and Tarzan Nasser: "Last Chance for Love" was the working title of the film until we found something that reflected its essence. "Gaza mon Amour" is a very fitting title - perhaps because the simplicity of the words captures a lot of the aesthetics, sensuality and intellectual dimensions that we wanted to convey. No particular point of view is imposed on the viewer. Except perhaps our love for Gaza.

The main character Issa, played by Salim Daw, comes across as very unconventional for an old man living in Palestine. He doesn't pray, lives alone and doesn't particularly like the police or the whole regime. How much of the two of you is in his character?

Arab and Tarzan Nasser: The character of Issa, the fisherman, was modelled on many ordinary men from Gaza. Men who try to realise their dreams and ambitions. They want peace and love, not war or retribution. The character was also very much inspired by our father: A strong romantic with a desire for love and peace. However, many of the details also come from us, who we are. However, we only realised this after the film was already finished.

Will the film also be shown in cinemas in Gaza?

Arab and Tarzan Nasser: At least we hope so...