At Toronto film festival, ‘Palestine 36’ tackles the past, echoes in the present

A new film, "Palestine 36," from acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir, recently made its powerful debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. This compelling work seeks to tell a story deeply rooted in the past, yet one that reverberates profoundly in the present, offering a unique perspective and, perhaps, a glimmer of hope for the future.

The film transports viewers to 1936 Palestine, a period of simmering unrest under the British Mandate. It vividly portrays the landscape as Jewish communities, fleeing persecution in Europe, began establishing new footholds, often on or near Arab land. Within this historical context, "Palestine 36" follows its Palestinian protagonists as they navigate the fight for their rights, confronted by encroaching settlers and the authority of a harsh colonial power.

Jacir deliberately crafted "Palestine 36" to feel "mercilessly contemporary," emphasizing that the historical events depicted set the stage for many of today's complex realities. The film delves into the difficult questions of when and how to resist, what forms that resistance should take, and the heavy price it often demands. Its critical acclaim is further underscored by its selection as Palestine’s official Oscar submission this year, with Watermelon Pictures acquiring distribution rights for the US and Canada.

The film's message is clear and potent, as one character challenges another to consider "which side of history you want to be on," a sentiment the 119-minute narrative extends to its audience. This historical narrative gains even sharper relevance when viewed against the backdrop of current events. The article notes that nearly two years into Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, over 64,000 Palestinians have been killed, with the region facing widespread devastation and famine, according to international observers. This follows the militant group Hamas's invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages, and some scholars and rights groups, including those from Israel, have termed Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide.

The production of "Palestine 36" itself faced significant challenges. Jacir and her team were ten months into pre-production, on the verge of shooting in Bethlehem, when the events of October 7 and the subsequent conflict erupted, forcing their evacuation. Jacir reflected on this period of immense difficulty, stating, "Making a film when there’s a genocide happening seems, really, like a privilege. But it was important for us. It was important for everybody. And it felt, now, even more important than ever, because we’re artists, and that’s what we do.”

The film features a distinguished cast, including veteran actors Jeremy Irons and Hiam Abbass, known for her role in *Succession*. Saleh Bakri stars as a Palestinian character who feels an undeniable pull to fight back. Bakri eloquently summarized the enduring power of creative expression, noting that "Art is… a form of resistance. But it is a soulful, living, form of resistance.”