Erasmus in Gaza (2021)

Erasmus in Gaza (2021)

Directed by Chiara Avesani and Matteo Delbò, 88 mins

UK Premiere

Riccardo, a final-year medical student in Italy, is going on Erasmus: to the besieged Gaza Strip. 

His friends are concerned, but he is determined as he wants to train as a trauma surgeon and is writing his thesis on explosive bullet wounds. Entering Gaza is not simple, he needs permission from three different authorities: the Israeli army, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

Upon arrival at the Islamic University, he is welcomed by the Chancellor and interviewed by the local and international media. Riccardo starts to feel the pressure: his experience will determine the success of the exchange programme. The threat of war doesn’t help and he starts suffering panic attacks; luckily, his new friendships with young Gazans help him handle his anxiety. 

In Erasmus in Gaza we accompany Riccardo on his journey into adulthood, a journey of personal struggle that tests whether or not he truly has the strength to pursue his dreams.

Livestreamed screening and discussion

Monday 28 November, 19:00 GMT

Join us on the evening of Monday 28 November for our livestreamed Erasmus in Gaza screening and discussion. The panel discussion after the screening will be moderated by Andrew Jack, global education editor at the Financial Times. Andrew will be joined by co-director Chiara Avesani, Gazan lawyer Adam Jad who appears in the film, and Professor Nick Maynard, UK-based surgeon, leading annual teaching trips to Gaza medical schools.