Loading ...Woven in Film: Palestinian History & Hope
By: Nissrine Bedda / Arab America Contributing Writer
Palestinian documentaries serve as a powerful tool in reshaping narratives, challenging dominant perspectives, and amplifying voices often silenced. Through raw storytelling, these films capture the lived experiences of Palestinians, offering an unfiltered look at history, resistance, and resilience. By presenting personal testimonies, archival footage, and on-the-ground realities, they counter misinformation and humanize a struggle too often reduced to headlines. In a world where media shapes perception, Palestinian documentaries stand as an act of cultural resistance, reclaiming the narrative and fostering a deeper global understanding of justice, identity, and liberation.
Ma’loul Celebrates its Destruction (1985)
“Ma’loul, a Palestinian village in Galilee, was destroyed by Israeli forces in 1948, leaving only two churches and a mosque as remnants. Over time, these remnants were obscured by a forest planted in memory of Nazi victims, erasing many Arab villages from the map. The displaced residents are only allowed to return once a year, on the anniversary of the Nakba.” Source. The New Arab
Stitching Palestine (2017)
“In this film, Carol Mansour again addresses the theme of memory, but on a broader scale, through the stories of twelve Palestinian women recounting their lives before displacement. They share personal recollections, experiences, and the essence of their identities, weaving these memories through the art of traditional embroidery.” Source. The New Arab
Watch: https://bostonpalestinefilmfest.org/portfolio/stitching-palestine/
Al Nakba (2013)
“A four-part series produced by Al Jazeera on the history of the expulsion of Palestinians from their lands that led to the first Arab–Israeli war in 1948, and the establishment of the state of Israel. The series spans the 19th and 20th centuries, including the British Mandate in Palestine, and up to the present day, documenting the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestine. Arab, Israeli, and Western intellectuals, historians, and eye-witnesses provide the central narrative which is accompanied by archival material and documents, many only recently released for the first time.” Source. Palestinecampaign
Watch: https://www.aljazeera.com/program/featured-documentaries/2013/5/29/al-nakba
Fatenah (2009)
“The first 3D animated film made in Palestine. Fatenah is a 28-year-old woman living in the Gaza Strip. Her life is similar to the lives of many other women in Gaza. Her life changes the day she discovers to have breast cancer.” Source. Palestinecampaign
Watch: https://vimeo.com/19811163
Gaza Mon Amor (2020)
“a film co-directed by Arab and Tarzan Nasser, is a refreshingly unique, heartwarming tale set in the often-misrepresented Gaza Strip. This film takes a delightful turn from the usual narratives of conflict, focusing instead on a tender love story amidst the challenges of daily life in Gaza. What sets Gaza Mon Amour apart is its ability to infuse humor and humanity into a setting often depicted solely through the lens of despair. The Nasser brothers have masterfully crafted a narrative that is not just a love story but a story of hope, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people. It’s a film that challenges stereotypes, offering a glimpse into the everyday lives of Gazans, filled with dreams, desires, and the universal pursuit of happiness. ” Source. Savoir Flair
Watch: https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/gaza-mon-amour/39c2ef90-1176-36a5-9ff2-c4e5ae904083
Huda’s Salon (2021)
“In the gripping narrative of Huda’s Salon, a Palestinian film by the acclaimed director Hany Abu-Assad, the audience is plunged into the heart of Bethlehem’s underbelly, where beauty and betrayal intertwine in a salon that serves as more than just a place for a haircut and gossip. The salon, run by the eponymous Huda, is a façade for a darker reality, where women’s vulnerabilities are exploited for espionage in a tangled web of political intrigue.” Source. Savoir Flair
Jenin, Jenin (2002)
“Directed and co-produced by Palestinian actor Mohammad Bakri, Jenin Jenin includes testimony from Jenin residents after the Israeli army’s Defensive Wall operation.” Source. Afikra
Watch: https://vimeo.com/499672067
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