The Bedouins Skate for Peace in San Mateo

Skateboarding for peace in the Middle East may not be an often heard-of form of protest, but a film screening in San Mateo Friday night will show audiences how this sport can bring peace to people at war and transcend poverty.

A reception and presentation of two documentaries, Sour and Smile, will take place Friday at 7p.m.at Dove and Olive Works, located at 178 South Boulevard in San Mateo.

Filmed during the Lebenon-Isreali war of 2006, Sour is a documentary about Jordanian and Isreali youth skaters filmed by those local teenagers themselves. From this unique perspective, this film tells an intimate story that news accounts of the military conflict may not have captured. Sour has been screened at the 2008 Eilat International Film Festival in Israel, among others, and has received the Best Content Award at the 2008 Boston International Film Festival.

Smile, filmed by Nathan Gary, documents Gary’s six-month volunteer term at the Deepika School in one of the poorest slums of Bangalore, India where he used skateboarding to teach school-aged children the art of self expression.

“I believe that skateboarding in its essence is about abolishing rules, flipping the script, and transforming something wasted and desolate like islands of concrete or road barriers into something positive. In this vein, skating is also about transforming entrenched prejudices and misunderstandings,” Gary said in a statement.

Both of these films are projects of The Bedouins, a non-profit group with the self-described mission to “use skateboarding and street art as instruments of peace between Jewish and Muslim youth.”

Following the screening of both films Oakland-based photographer Justin Borsuk will lead a discussion along with members of The Bedouins.

In keeping with this mission of The Bedouins, Borsuk has also developed a connection between Hebrew culture and skateboarding culture through his photography. These images will also be on-display at Dove and Olive Works.

This reception and screening kicks-off a two day event at this local business.

On Saturday, September 10, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be an all-day exhibit of Borsuk’s work and the films Sour and Smile will be shown throughout the day.

Dove and Olive Works is “a place where the community can find products that promote peacemaking, see peacemaking in action, and get involved locally, nationally, and internationally,” according to a statement from the business.

Through the business’ non-profit arm called Reach and Teach, events to promote social good are held at this storefront regularly.

Reach and Teach co-founder Craig Wiesner said in a statement, “When I first heard of the Bedouins and their projects I was truly intrigued. Skateboarding for peace in the Middle East? The truth is that everything that you know how to do well and you do with love can be used for peacemaking, including skateboarding. The Bedouins are proving it.”

The Bedouins at Reach and Teach

What: A two-day event highlighting film projects of The Bedouins. There will be a screening of the skateboarding documentaries Sour and Smile. Work of Oakland-based photographer Justin Borsuk will also be exhibited.

When: Opening reception - Friday at 7p.m. Film screening and photography exhbit - Saturday, September 10 from 9a.m. to 5p.m.

Where: Dove and Olive Works. 178 South Boulevard, San Mateo.

Cost: Free and open to the public, with a $3 suggested donation at the door.