Sorry, But I Don't Think These Clowns Funny

CHILE DOCUMENTARY TO SHOW WORK OF “CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS” IN PALESTINE

Mikio Tsunekawa - a Chilean journalist, filmmaker and clown of Japanese origin - traveled to the West Bank and Gaza in July, 2002 [notice, that's right after "Operation Defensive Shield] along with three other members of the international humanitarian organization Clowns Without Borders. A documentary film resulted from the experience - “Diario de Guerra de un Payaso” (“War Diary of a Clown”) - which will première at Viña del Mar film festival October 21-27.

War Diary of a Clown follows the group’s every step through occupied Palestinian territories. Clowns without Borders is a non-profit NGO that seeks to “improve the psychological state of people in refugee camps, areas of conflict and exclusion zones,” as well as to “raise our societies’ awareness of affected populations and to promote a spirit of solidarity.” The clowns hope to “bring humor, contemporary clown/circus oriented performances and workshops into communities so that they can celebrate together and forget for a moment the tensions that darken their daily lives.”

While Clown’s without Borders is an impartial organization, Tsunekawa’s film cannot help but have a political edge [why?].

“In no way did we try to portray the Israelis as villains,” said the director, “but we encountered a reality in which that country’s soldiers behaved quite aggressively towards us.” He alleged that military personnel broke the arms of their bus driver, destroyed some camera equipment and only allowed them to access one Palestinian area after performing for the soldiers.

Source (and Kippah tip to FARK)