Film Screening: Palestine 36

Palestine’s Official Selection for the 98th Academy Awards.

Annemarie Jacir, a festival favorite, takes us back to Palestine in the 1930s. The film explores the lives and ambitions of people living under British rule, with a strong international cast that includes Jeremy Irons and Hiam Abbass.

In 1936, as the British Empire tightens its grip on Palestine, Yusuf is caught between his village home and his work in Jerusalem. Amidst an anti-colonial revolt, and Jewish refugees fleeing persecution from Europe, all sides converge in a decisive moment for the entire region.

Directed by Annemarie Jacir and filmed by Palestinian crews in Palestine, this period film emphasizes character development against the backdrop of the economic, political, and identity-related forces of the era. Jacir effectively rises to the challenge, delivering a compelling portrayal of this historical context.