AN AWARD-winning documentary directed by a woman from Chute Cadley will be screened at Vernham Dean next month.

The film, Fadia’s Tree, is the debut feature documentary of Sarah Beddington.

The screening will take place at Vernham Dean’s Millenium Hall on Friday, December 2 and will be followed by a Q&A with Sarah.

Created over a period of 17 years, the documentary follows Sarah as she is challenged by Fadia, a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon, to search for a mulberry tree which stands as a witness to her family’s existence – with only inherited memories, a blind man and a two-headed dragon as her guides.

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Along the way, Sarah meets with ornithologists whose observations on the homing instincts of the birds reveal the unresolved problems of the region.

The film adopts a bird’s eye perspective to reflect on freedom of movement, exile and the hope of return and is a story of a 15-year friendship that stays connected across a divided land and a fragmented people.

Having grown up in the local area, Sarah said she is excited to bring the film to Vernham Dean, saying: “I was born and grew up in Chute Cadley and my mother still lives there so I often visit.

“The surrounding chalk downland and ancient woodland were such a strong part of my growing up experience.”

She continued: “So, it is wonderful to be coming to Vernham Dean to show the film in the folds of the hills I feel so nurtured by and across which I have walked so often.”

The documentary has received multiple awards, including the Amnesty International Award for Best Feature at the Donostia-San Human Rights Film Festival, Best Documentary at the Karama Human Rights Film Festival and Best Documentary at the Barnes Film Festival.

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Sarah called receiving these awards “a great honour”, adding that it helps to highlight the injustice facing Palestinian refugees.

She continued: “After working on a project for 17 years it has been extremely moving and humbling to have screened the film in cinemas throughout the UK this summer – from BFI Southbank to Vernham Dean.

“Each place and screening is equally important to me.”

Tickets for the screening cost £8 and must be reserved in advance.

They can be reserved by emailing Annie Griffiths at anniegriffiths2000@hotmail.co.uk.

Fadia’s Tree is also currently available on DVD and streaming.