Palestine on Screen: A Selection of the Most Acclaimed and Award-Winning Films of 2023
Palestinian cinema has produced some of the most acclaimed and award-winning films that have reached new heights of creativity and recognition. Being a land of stories, stories that reflect the rich and diverse culture, history, and struggles of its people, we decided to highlight some of Palestine’s most impressive films and the filmmakers behind them, who have captured the Palestinian experience in captivating and powerful ways.
A ‘Palestinian Stories’ collection by Netflix:
One of the most notable events of the year for Palestinian cinema was the launch of the ‘Palestinian Stories’ collection by Netflix, the global streaming service. The collection, which debuted on October 14, features 32 films either helmed by Palestinian filmmakers or about Palestinian stories, including short films, documentaries, and feature films.
The collection showcases the works of prolific and critically acclaimed directors like Annemarie Jacir, Mai Masri, Mahdi Fleifel, Susan Youssef, May Odeh, Farah Nabulsi, and many more. The films span multiple genres and styles, exploring the lives, dreams, families, friendships, and love of Palestinians in different contexts and situations.
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Some of the Films Included in the Collection are:
– “A Man Returned” by Mahdi Fleifel: A documentary that follows the life of Reda, a young Palestinian refugee who returns to the Ain el-Helweh camp in Lebanon after three years of trying to reach Europe. The film won the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2016.
– “Like 20 Impossibles” by Annemarie Jacir: A short film that depicts the journey of a Palestinian film crew across the Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank. The film was the first short film from the Arab world to premiere in Cannes and became a National Finalist for the Academy Awards in 2004.
– “The Crossing” by Ameen Nayfeh: A short film based on the true story of the director and his siblings, who faced difficulties and humiliation at an Israeli checkpoint while trying to visit their sick grandfather on the other side of the wall. The film was produced by May Odeh, who also produced the feature film “200 Meters” which was selected as the Palestinian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.
The collection is a tribute to the creativity and passion of the Palestinian film industry, as well as a bold move by Netflix to support and amplify Palestinian voices and stories to a global audience. May Odeh, the producer of ‘The Crossing’, said: “We all in the Palestinian film industry have been eager to share our narrative with the world through our authentic creative productions as an alternative to news reporting. I can’t thank the team at Netflix and Front Row enough for the effort to make this happen.”
Other notable films of the year:
In addition to the Netflix collection, other notable films emerged from the Palestinian cinema scene in 2023, either in festivals, cinemas, or online platforms.
– “It Must Be Heaven” by Elia Suleiman:
A comedy-drama that follows the director himself as he travels from Palestine to different cities around the world, observing the absurdities and contradictions of human behavior. The film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 and won the Jury Special Mention and the FIPRESCI Prize.
– “Gaza Mon Amour” by Tarzan and Arab Nasser:
A romantic comedy that tells the story of Issa, a 60-year-old fisherman who falls in love with Siham, a dressmaker, and tries to woo her with the help of a statue of Apollo that he finds in the sea. The film was selected as the Palestinian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards and won the NETPAC Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2020.
– “Mediterranean Fever” by Maha Haj:
Waleed (40) lives in Haifa with his wife and children and dreams of a writing career while suffering from chronic depression. He develops a close relationship with his neighbor (a small-time crook) with an ulterior plot in mind. While the scheme turns into an unexpected friendship between the two men, it leads them into a journey of dark encounters. The film was Palestine’s entry for Best International Feature at the 2023 Academy Awards and won the “Un Certain Regard” Best Screenplay Prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
– “The Present” by Farah Nabulsi:
A short film that follows the ordeal of Yusef, a Palestinian father who tries to buy a gift for his wife’s anniversary with his young daughter, but faces obstacles and humiliation at the Israeli checkpoints. The film was nominated for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 93rd Academy Awards and won the Audience Award at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2020.
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– “Bye Bye Tiberias” by French-Palestinian-Algerian actress and filmmaker Lina Soualem:
Portrays the personal journeys of four generations of bold Palestinian women, each leaving a mark on the world despite their scattered identities. The films “Bye Bye Tiberias” along “The Present” were showcased in “Window on Palestine” The 2023 Gouna Film Festival Programme which included 12 films that reflect the rich and diverse cinematic heritage of Palestine.
Films of Resistance, Love, and Hope:
These films, along with many others, demonstrate the talent and vision of Palestinian filmmakers, who have managed to create compelling and engaging stories that resonate with audiences across the world. These Palestine-oriented films also reflect the diversity and complexity of the Palestinian experience, which cannot be reduced to a single narrative or perspective.
Palestinian cinema is a vibrant and dynamic field that has produced some of the most acclaimed and award-winning films of 2023. These films offer a glimpse into the lives, struggles, hopes, and dreams of Palestinians, as well as their culture, history, and identity. Additionally, they urge viewers to regard Palestine and its people as sentient human beings with agency and dignity, challenging the myths and stereotypes that frequently surround them. We can have a deeper understanding of Palestine and recognize the artistic and creative abilities of the filmmakers by viewing these Palestinian films.
