“War Maker” is based on the true story of Karim Shaheen, a Palestinian visual artist from Gaza, and how his life’s dreams were affected by living through three different wars in the span of eleven years (1980-1991).
Recommended for ages 13+
Shaheen’s story was adapted for Dafa Puppet Theatre by the company’s founder, Palestinian-Jordanian theatre director and puppeteer, Husam Abed. Shaheen and Abed shared an apartment in Yarmouk camp, Syria, in the year 2000 while Abed was attending Damascus University. It was there where Shaheen originated the embodiment of their Damascene neighborhood in a realistic 3D stylized miniature form, inspiring “War Maker.” From a young age, Shaheen was attached to science fiction cinema, and his dream was to create visual effects for sci-fi movies.
Three wars formed Shaheen's memory: the Iraq/Iran War 1980, the Gulf War (Iraq/Kuwait) 1990, and the Yugoslavian war in 1991. In addition to these wars, he was also shaped by the collective memory of his Palestinian family Nakba/Catastrophe in 1948 through the Israeli military forced displacement to Gaza.
“War Maker” explores Karim’s life lived within an ongoing exile, the performance itself mirrors his broken war memories and the liminality of his existence. Karim’s absurd and brutal reality places him on a crossroads between love, dreams, and family connections.
Karim’s story is expressed through modern puppet theater, stretching the boundaries of visual art, miniatures, documentary, and object theater. Adapted for Dafa Puppet Theatre by Palestinian-Jordanian theatre director and friend to Karim, Husam Abed.
Learn more about Dafa Puppet Theatre
Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.
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