The Green Prince will Open the Documentary Section in Sundance

"THE GREEN PRINCE" - WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

The Green Prince is such an extraordinary story that one is tempted to think it is fiction, if only somebody had the audacity to invent it.  A Palestinian in Ramallah, Mosab Hassan Yousef grows up angry and ready to fight Israel.  Arrested for smuggling guns at the age of 17, he's interrogated by the Shin Bet, Israel's security service, and sent to prison.  But shocked by Hamas's ruthless tactics in the prison and the organization's escalating campaign of suicide bombings outside, Mosab agrees to spy for Israel.  For him, there is no greater shame.  For his Shin Bet handler, Gonen, there is no greater prize: "operating" the oldest son of a founding member of Hamas.  Based on Yousef's memoir, Son of Hamas, The Green Prince is a story of two men, spy and handler, whom history insists must be adversaries.  That they could reach a point of trust or friendship seems absurd.  Embroidering a tangled web of intrigue, terror, and betrayal, Nadav Schirman builds superb tension throughout a surprisingly emotional journey.  Ultimately, The Green Prince is less about political struggle than personal coming-to-terms with responsibility and moral duty. - J.N.

Directed and Producer by Nadav Schirman, Produced by John Battsek and Simon Chinn - 99 mins John Battsek, Simon Chinn, Nadav Schirman, Mosab Hassan Yousef, and Gonen Ben Yitzhak are confirmed to attend.

Thursday, January 16th at 5:30pm The MARC, PC Thursday, January 16th at 6:00pm Holiday Village Cinema 1, PC (P+I) Friday, January 17th at 8:30am Prospector Square Theatre, PC Friday, January 17th at 9:00pm Salt Lake City Library, SLC Monday, January 20th at 9:00pm Screening Room, Sundance Resort Wednesday, January 22nd at 4:00pm Redstone Cinema 2, PC Friday, January 24th at 3:00pm Temple Theatre, PC