Films from and about Palestine
This week we offer a series of movies from and about Palestine by directors who range from long-established master Elia Suleiman to newcomer Farah Nabulsi, whose short film The Present was recently nominated for an Academy Award.
The Present
(الهدية)
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a father and daughter attempt to buy a gift for the parents' wedding anniversary.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- United Kingdom, Occupied Palestinian Territory • 2020
- Director Farah Nabulsi
- Cast Saleh Bakri, Mariam Kanj
- Genre Drama
- Available on Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Netflix basic with Ads, Kanopy, Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Gaza
A documentary taking viewers beyond the headlines and into a true portrait of Palestinians in Gaza struggling against Israeli occupation.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Ireland, Occupied Palestinian Territory • 2019
- Director Garry Keane, Andrew McConnell
- Cast
- Genre Documentary, Drama
- Available on Freevee, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Tubi TV, YouTube
Wajib
(واجب)
A family wedding gives a son and father a chance to reconnect.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Occupied Palestinian Territory, France, Colombia • 2017
- Director Annemarie Jacir
- Cast Mohammad Bakri, Saleh Bakri, Maria Zreik
- Genre Drama
- Available on No streaming locations found.
Off Frame AKA Revolution Until Victory
(Kharej Al-Itar aw Thawra Hata el Nasser)
An archival look at the Palestinian people's struggle to produce their own image.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Palestine, France, Jordan • 2016
- Director Mohanad Yaqubi
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Amazon Video, Apple TV
3000 Nights
(3000 Nocy)
A young Palestinian schoolteacher gives birth to her son in an Israeli prison where she fights to protect him while trying to survive and maintain hope.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Occupied Palestinian Territory, France, Jordan • 2015
- Director Mai Masri
- Cast Rakeen Saad, Karim Saleh, Maisa Abd Elhadi, Alicia Sánchez, Raida Adon, Yussuf Abu-Warda
- Genre Drama
- Available on Amazon Video, Netflix basic with Ads, Netflix, Tubi TV
Love, Theft and Other Entanglements
(الحب والسرقة ومشاكل اخرى)
A Palestinian car thief finds himself in a sticky situation after finding that one of his stolen cars has some valuable cargo.
- Palestine • 2015
- Director Muayad Alayan
- Cast Muayad Alayan, Mustafa Abu Hanood, Sami Metwasi, Valantina Abu Osqa, Mahmood Alayan
- Genre
- Available on Amazon Video
The Idol
(يا طير الطاير)
From a ragtag band to performing in front of thousands, the life of famous "Arab Idol" singer Mohammed Assaf is explored.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Occupied Palestinian Territory, United Kingdom, Qatar • 2015
- Director Hany Abu-Assad
- Cast Tawfeek Barhom, Kais Attalah, Hiba Attalah, Ahmad Qasem, Abdel Kareem Barakeh
- Genre Comedy, Drama
- Available on Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Vudu, OVID, Kino Now, YouTube, Apple TV
When I Saw You
(لما شفتك)
A young Palestinian refugee tires of his life in a refugee camp and leaves in search of his separated father.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Palestine, Jordan, Greece • 2014
- Director Annemarie Jacir
- Cast Mahmoud Asfa, Ruba Blal, Saleh Bakri, Anas Algaralleh, Ali Elayan
- Genre Drama
- Available on Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Vudu, VUDU Free, Kino Now, Kanopy, YouTube, Apple TV
Omar
(عمر)
A Palestinian freedom fighter is captured and forced to work as a double agent for the Israeli authorities.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Palestine • 2013
- Director Hany Abu-Assad
- Cast Adam Bakri, Waleed Zuaiter, Leem Lubany, Samer Bisharat, Iyad Hoorani, Mousa Habiib Allah
- Genre Drama, Romance, Thriller
- Available on Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Netflix basic with Ads, Chai Flicks, Kanopy, Netflix, Tubi TV, YouTube, Apple TV
The Time That Remains
(الزمن الباقي)
A semi-biographical film about the lives of the Palestinians who remained during the creation of the state of Israel from 1948 to present day.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium • 2009
- Director Elia Suleiman
- Cast Saleh Bakri, Elia Suleiman, Amer Hlehel, Ali Suliman, Menashe Noy, Ayman Espanioli
- Genre Drama, History
- Available on DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, AMC+ Amazon Channel, YouTube, AMC+, Apple TV, AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
Paradise Now
Two Palestinian men attempt to carry out a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Palestine, France, Germany • 2005
- Director Hany Abu-Assad
- Cast Ali Suliman, Amer Hlehel, Hiam Abbass, Ashraf Barhom, Mohammad Bustami
- Genre Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Available on DIRECTV, Microsoft Store, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Vudu, YouTube, Apple TV
Divine Intervention
(يد إلهية)
Separated by a checkpoint, Palestinian lovers from Jerusalem and Ramallah arrange clandestine meetings.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- France, Morocco, Germany • 2002
- Director Elia Suleiman
- Cast Elia Suleiman, Manal Khader, George Ibrahim, Amer Daher, Jamel Daher, Lufuf Nuweiser
- Genre Drama, Romance
- Available on Netflix basic with Ads, Chai Flicks, Kino Now, Kanopy, Netflix