by John Wildman, AFI FEST Daily News

THE LAST DAYS OF YASSER ARAFAT, from Australian writer, director and producer Sherine Salama, makes its North American premiere at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi.

The documentary is the final chapter of one of the most controversial public figures, and includes the last interview given by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat a month before he died.

THE LAST DAYS OF YASSER ARAFAT screens November 11, 9:30 PM, and November 12, 3:00 PM, at ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood.

1. How many days did it take to get the interview with Arafat?

Sherine Salama: It took about 84 days of lobbying on the ground in Ramallah. Plus several more weeks of phone calls and faxes from Sydney.

2. What is the name of the that little air puff tool that Palestinian guards kept pulling out of your equipment case for inspection? And seriously, how dangerous is it?

Sherine: I'm not very technically inclined, so "little air puff tool" sounds just fine. It's used for blowing dust off the camera lens, and contrary to what Arafat's guard was suggesting, it would not be of much use as a hand grenade.

3. What is the best thing about having your film at AFI FEST?

Sherine: Exposing a discerning American audience to a documentary about Yasser Arafat that doesn't portray him as a child-murdering terrorist. And getting to attend the AFI FEST!

4. Was it always your intention to make the documentary or did the idea come to you when you had exhausted all of the hotel's movie options?

Sherine: The idea quite literally came to me in a dream. Although there were many times when I wish it hadn't.

5. Was there a question you wished you had asked Arafat, but didn't?

Sherine: No. But there were many answers I wish he'd given, but didn't.

6. What should a director do that they never think of until it's almost too late?

Sherine: Find an easier way to spend the next few years. And it's always too late.

7. What do you think caused Arafat's death?

Sherine: I was always afraid that I'd given him my cold, and was extremely relieved when the hospital in France ruled out this possibility.

8. Australians or Palestinians - Who throws a better block party?

Sherine: Definitely Palestinians. I can't think of any block parties I've seen in Australia, unless you count the ones organized by local businesses designed to make money in the name of "community spirit."

The best Palestinian block parties are held for weddings. I filmed a great all-singing, all-dancing block party in my last film, A WEDDING IN RAMALLAH.

Unfortunately, Israeli Defense Forces have been known to spoil the fun by razing the block.

9. Fill in the blank: I would love for the next film to be THE LAST DAYS OF _____.

Sherine: I'm not sure if I'm supposed to nominate a world leader I'd like to see dead, or one whose death would make a great story. I might steer clear of the first interpretation, and proffer Fidel Castro or Muammar Gaddafi as interesting examples of the latter.

10. Popcorn or candy?

Sherine: Candy. Or better yet, baklava!