In the face of ongoing conflict and occupation, Palestinian filmmakers and allies have opened a window into their lived realities by making a wealth of documentaries and films freely accessible online. These works serve not only as artistic expressions but also as vital testimonies, capturing the nuances of Palestinian life, resistance, and identity. Below is a curated selection of these films, each offering a unique perspective on the Palestinian experience.
Keeper of Memory
Directed by Tariq Bakri, this Palestinian film delves into the efforts of a Palestinian Jerusalemite researcher striving to reconnect diaspora families with their ancestral homes. Through personal narratives and historical exploration, the film underscores the importance of preserving collective memory amidst displacement.
Empty Seat
This documentary narrates the stories of student martyrs—how they were killed and the profound impact their loss had on their classmates. Nadim Nawara, martyred during the Nakba commemoration in 2014, and Najia al-Helou, a victim of the Shuja’iyya massacre, left indelible voids in the hearts of their peers. The film explores how their classmates received the news of their deaths and how they strive to maintain a glimmer of hope to continue, excel, and succeed.
Jenin, Jenin
Directed by Mohammed Bakri, this documentary presents firsthand accounts of the 2002 Israeli military operation in Jenin. Through interviews and on-the-ground footage, it challenges official narratives and brings to light the human cost of conflict.
Scenes From Under Occupation In Gaza (1973)
The film “Scenes from Occupation in Gaza” is a documentary that presents some of the Israeli occupation measurements against Palestinians, and a profile of the struggle of Palestinian people in Gaza. The film won the Golden prize in the short film competition of the International Baghdad Festival for Films and TV Programs on Palestine 1973. It also won the prize of the International Youth Union at the Leipzig International Film Festival in 1973.
Gaza Fights For Freedom
This debut feature film by journalist Abby Martin began while reporting in Palestine, where she was denied entry into Gaza by the Israeli government on the accusation she was a “propagandist.” So Abby connected with a team of journalists in Gaza to produce the film through the blockaded border. It is a documentary about the historic Great March Of Return protests, which occurred every week from March 2018 until December 2019, but covers so much more.
The Place
Directed by Omar Rammal, this one-minute short captures the intimate connections Palestinians have with their homes.Amidst the backdrop of settlers seizing properties, it poignantly portrays personal attachments to spaces under threat.
Keffiyeh: A Revolution Through Music
Musician George Totari left Nazareth in 1967, fleeing Israeli repression, and settled in Gothenburg, Sweden. He met European politicians who were “more Zionist than the Israelis themselves.” In response, he formed the band Kufiyyeh with Palestinian and Swedish musicians. They sang for the struggle in both languages, recorded four albums, and toured the world performing for Palestine.
The Creation and the Nakba 1948
This documentary tells the story of the establishment of Israel. It shows the events through the eyes of the people who lived them. But rather than being a history lesson, this documentary is a primer for the present. It is simply not possible to make sense of what is happening today without an understanding of 1948. This documentary was the last chance for many of the characters to narrate their first-hand accounts.