Oscars 2013: 5 Broken Cameras Director Detained En Route To America

By Matt Aspin / February 22, 2013

Emad Burnat, the co-Director of Oscar nominated documentary 5 Broken Cameras, may not make it to the show this Sunday if his issues with US Immigration don't ease up. The filmmaker's detention took place late on Tuesday night when he arrived at LAX airport in preparation of this week's Academy Awards Ceremony. But instead of being greeted like a celebrity Burnat and his family were instead detained for questioning along with his wife and eight year old son. In a statement issued to the press Burnat spoke of his ordeal:

"Last night, on my way from Turkey to Los Angeles, CA, my family and I were held at US immigration for about an hour and questioned about the purpose of my visit to the United States. Immigration officials asked for proof that I was nominated for an Academy Award for the documentary 5 Broken Cameras and they told me that if I couldn't prove the reason for my visit, my wife Soraya, my son Gibreel and I would be sent back to Turkey on the same day.

After 40 minutes of questions and answers, Gibreel asked me why we were still waiting in that small room. I simply told him the truth: 'Maybe we'll have to go back.' I could see his heart sink.

Although this was an unpleasant experience, this is a daily occurrence for Palestinians, every single day, throughout he West Bank. There are more than 500 Israeli checkpoints, roadblocks, and other barriers to movement across our land, and not a single one of us has been spared the experience that my family and I experienced yesterday. Ours was a very minor example of what my people face every day."

Burnat has received support from controversial US Documentary film maker Michael Moore who was quick to rally the troops in support via several Tweets. How much of an affect this had is unclear but Burnat and his family have now been allowed full access to the United States. His film is the first ever Palestinian documentary to receive a nomination and tells the harrowing story of one farmer's non violent resistance against the Israeli Army.