DUBAI: Filmmaker Annemarie Jacir’s “Palestine 36,” which screened at Jeddah’s Red Sea International Film Festival, is scheduled for release in Saudi cinemas on Thursday.
The sweeping historical epic — Palestine’s official entry to the Oscars this year, which made it to the official longlist — is a deep exploration of resistance, resilience and the struggle of the Palestinian people.
“Palestine 36” is set during the 1936 Arab Revolt and follows five interconnected narratives as villages across Palestine confront British colonial rule.
With rising numbers of Jewish immigrants escaping antisemitism in Europe, and the Palestinian population uniting against Britain’s 30-year dominion, all sides spiral toward inevitable collision in a decisive moment for the British Empire and the future of the entire region.
The film won the Best Film award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Jacir — whose three previous feature films “Salt of this Sea,” “When I Saw You,” and “Wajib” were also official Palestinian Oscar entries — hopes “Palestine 36” will provide a mirror for audiences, particularly those from colonized or war-affected countries.
“I hope people see themselves in the film,” she told Arab News in December. “I don’t want to teach anyone anything. There’s a lot of history in the film and there’s a lot of history that’s been erased. I hope that’s something that comes through.”
The film features an ensemble cast, including Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons, “Game of Thrones” star Liam Cunningham, and Tunisian actor Dhafer L’Abidine, alongside Palestinian talents Hiam Abbass, Yasmine Al-Massri, Kamel El Basha, and Saleh Bakri.
At the Red Sea International Film Festival premiere of the film in December, Jacir walked the red carpet with Palestinian Jordanian designer Reema Dahbour, who dressed the director for the event.
Dahbour created a custom piece titled “From the River to the Sea,” which she described on social media as “a dress born from our narrative, our symbols, and our enduring connection to the land. A garment that mirrors the spirit showcased so powerfully in the film.”
