Palestinian cinema

A still from the movie "Farha," directed by Darin J. Sallam. (Talebox)

What can a new generation of Palestinian filmmakers learn from ‘Farha’?

The desire to direct a film about the Nakba is a powerful call to action. But to fully convey what we lost, it must be carefully rooted in historical reality.

By Samah Bsoul January 25, 2023

Palestinian actor and filmmaker Mohammad Bakri seen at the Lod District Court on December 21, 2017. (Flash90)

For Palestinian filmmakers in Israel, it’s loyalty or silence

Israel’s persecution of actor and filmmaker Mohammad Bakri reflects its desire to censor stories of the occupation while gloating about being a ‘democracy.’

By Suha Arraf January 15, 2021

Haifa International Film Festival organizers speak during a press conference at the festival launch event at Khashba Theater, Haifa, March 22, 2018. (Hamody Gannam)

Palestinian film festival seeks to challenge Israel’s cultural erasure

For the third straight year, local Palestinian as well as Arab filmmakers from across the world will be able to showcase their work in the Haifa Independent Film Festival. For the next six days, film lovers will flock to the north for the third annual Haifa Independent Film Festival, which will include both Palestinian films, as well as…

By Rami Younis March 23, 2018

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Palestinian director Maysaloun Hamoud. (Yariv Fein)

The Palestinian director bringing her generation to the big screen

Even as women continue to be underrepresented in the film industry, Palestinian director Maysaloun Hamoud’s new movie is winning international acclaim — and puts Palestinian women front and center. +972 Magazine sat down with Hamoud to talk feminism, liberation and Palestinian society. One of the strongest sensations I experienced during my first viewing of “In Between”…

By Haggai Matar January 5, 2017

Speed Sisters. (photo: Tanya Habjouqa)

Meet Palestine’s first all-female race-car team

A new documentary tells the story of five brave Palestinian female race-car drivers who must learn to challenge their own society’s norms while facing the violence of Israel’s military occupation. That pursuit of something good, which fills you up with hope and positive energy, has become mission impossible even for optimists such as myself. Over…

By Samah Salaime June 3, 2015