Hamas Behind the Mask

Hamas Behind the Mask is a journey inside one of the world's most secretive and controversial political organisations. Shot in 2004 and 2005 by Emmy Award-winning director Shelly Saywell, it documents the transition period during which Hamas is entering the political arena. Interviews with leaders in hiding, militants and activists are juxtaposed with Israeli experts and victims, as the film examines how Hamas turned the once secular struggle for Palestine into a religiously motivated Jihad. What emerges is a portrait of a starkly resilient group. When their leaders were killed, their popularity in the Palestinian streets kept growing, in part because of their vast social network and in part because their armed resistance was most appealing when public desperation was at its highest. And even though they were put on the international terrorist list by the United States, they were able to increase their funding. As Hamas now enters the political arena, it faces a strategic question. Will it play according to the rules? Hamas Behind the Mask is a look at the people behind the stereotypical terrorist mask, who have become a major force in shaping the future of a Palestinian state and putting an end to the enduring conflict in the Middle East. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)