“And what about us? The ones who remain? Will we win that way? Don't you see that what you're doing is destroying us? And that you give Israel an excuse to carry on?”
– Suha from Paradise Now (2005)
Those were the words of Lubna Azabal from the film Paradise Now who is the daughter of a famous Palestinian nationalist resistance as she returns to Palestine to pursue works related to human rights. She had an opposition to suicide attacks, while the main two characters were recruited by a terrorist group to become suicide bombers. The film explores the limited options of young Palestinians and the morality of resistance against Israel’s occupation.
These types of films are called “Resistance Films” and they vary from medium to medium. Mostly, it surrounds literature (Resistance Literature) and poetry (Poetry of Resistance). They have always been popular in Palestine due to the nature of Israel’s constant occupation, Palestine finds itself resisting their invasions through films and writings as they bring out the voices Israel wants to silence. It is a powerful form of media for Palestinians to reclaim their land and declare themselves freedom.
This article will explore and recommend Palestinian films and directors. At the end, there will be links to donations and more resources for learning about Palestine. So, if you have the means, feel free to donate; if not, keep spreading awareness and consuming Palestine’s Resistance media. Let their voices be heard.
PALESTINIAN FILMS
Paradise Now (الجنّة الآن) is a 2005 suspenseful film directed by Hany Abu-Assad. We follow two young men who were recruited as suicide bombers during their last 48 hours as they try to live their last two days to the fullest. The film depicts a realistic experience within the Palestinian territory. Furthermore, Paradise Now is the first Palestinian film ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Hany Abu-Assad’s other works include Omar (2013), The Mountain Between Us (2017), and Rana’s Wedding (2002).
Jenin, Jenin is a 2002 documentary film directed by Mohammad Bakri. It depicts the confrontations between armed Israeli soldiers and Palestinians in Jenin, a West Bank city which caused many casualties. Bakri goes to interview Palestinians. Some are reluctant yet he continues to film them walking away with their backs turned, symbolizing how we turn away from the suffering of Palestine. “What good is your filming when no Arab has been able to do anything?” asked an elderly Palestinian man. The documentary unapologetically explores Palestinians' lives from an outsider's perspective as they continue to rebuild their home over and over again. Besides Jenin, Jenin, Bakri’s other remarkable works include Since You Left (2005), Zakra (2010), and more.
Salt of This Sea is a 2008 romance and drama film directed by Annemarie Jacir. The main character Soraya yearns to visit her home and return to her Palestinian roots; however, it was destroyed back in 1948. So, she stays over with a friend, Emad, who has been trying to get a visa to study abroad in Canada. Salt of This Sea is a debut film that Annemarie Jacir describes as “a story of young people trying to shake off the restraints that control them…” Besides Salt of This Sea, her other works include When I Saw You (2012), Ramy (2022), Wajib (2017), and more.
The Time That Remains (الزمن الباقي) is a 2009 dark comedy semi-autobiographical film directed by Elia Suleiman. The movie is a story about Suleiman’s family in Nazareth from 1948 through the present day. It depicts the daily life of Palestinians who chose to remain in their homeland. Besides The Time That Remains, Elia’s other works include Chronicle of Disappearance (1996), Divine Intervention (2002), and more.
Pomegranates and Myrrh is a 2009 drama film directed by Najwa Najjar. Kamar, a newlywed, couldn’t pursue her passion for dancing after the arrest of her husband whose olive farm was seized by Israeli Soldiers. It is a romance movie that avoids stirring up any arguments regarding the Middle East’s politics while also being highly political – focused on the people and the circumstances around them. Aside from this film, Najjar’s other remarkable films are Between Heaven and Earth (2019), Eyes of a Thief (2014), and more.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
While writing this article, Israel has started attacking Lebanon with missiles. As a representative of Flicks and Frills, we are incredibly sorry for the casualties and lives lost in this genocide. Below are links for those who have the means to donate and those who want to educate themselves further. Not only does it contain materials for Palestine but also Condo, Lebanon, Hawaii, and other countries in need.
As writers, our job is to uplift the voices that are being silenced. Engineers, doctors, teachers, priests, students, and even fetuses are trapped in a massacre. Passions, ambitions, dreams, and hopes are all bombed alongside lives: they’re not just numbers; they’re like us, too.
CITATIONS:
Bradshaw, Peter. “The Time That Remains.” The Guardian, 22 Feb. 2018, www.theguardian.com/film/2010/may/27/the-time-that-remains-film-review.
Flickchart. “The Best Movies Directed by Hany Abu-assad.” Flickchart, www.flickchart.com/charts.aspx?director=hany+abu-assad.
Hadadi, Roxana. “‘The Occupation Defines the Resistance’: The Devastating Nature of Resilience in Paradise Now.” Bright Wall/Dark Room, 3 May 2021, www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2019/05/13/paradise-now-2005.
Pierandrei, Elisa. “Ten Palestinian Films You Should Watch.” The New Arab, www.newarab.com/features/ten-palestinian-films-you-should-watch.
Ufheil-Somers, Amanda. “Paradise Now’s Understated Power - MERIP.” MERIP, 18 Aug. 2019, merip.org/2006/01/paradise-nows-understated-power.
Comments