A friend involved in A Free Palestine (a series of events marking the anniversary of the Nakba) recommended me this film.
Palestine ‘36, directed by Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir, portrays village life during the Great Arab Revolt of 1936 — the largest and longest uprising against Britain’s three decades of colonial rule in the region. Through a tapestry of characters from distinct walks of life, the film weaves together overlapping tensions: colonial oppression, deep religious identity, an unbreakable love for the land, and the rise of rebel groups pushing back against both the British establishment and Zionist colonial ambitions.
Shot on location in Palestine — remarkably, the only feature film to do so in the past two years — it premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival to a 20-minute standing ovation.
After watching it, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to broaden their understanding of the Palestinian political conflict — particularly its historical roots, which are often absent from contemporary coverage.
What stays with you is the weight of knowing this happened nearly 90 years ago, and that the situation has only deteriorated since.
