Khaberni - After reaching the shortlist for the Oscars, the Palestinian film "Palestine 36" was launched in cinemas in Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, and Jordan, as part of the "Cinemad" initiative introduced by "MAD Solutions" starting from last December and lasting for three months.
The film started showing in Egypt on December 31st, then in the Gulf states and Jordan on January 1st, in Morocco on January 4th, and is scheduled to start showing in Tunisia on January 7th, and in Saudi Arabia on January 8th.
International screenings and awards
The film nominated for an Oscar in the shortlist for Best Foreign Film premiered globally at the "Gala" screenings during the Toronto International Film Festival and recently had its first Arab screening at the Red Sea Film Festival, in addition to participating in several international and local festivals.
The film has won several awards, including Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Sao Paulo International Film Festival, after making it to the shortlist for the thirty-eighth European Film Awards organized annually by the European Film Academy, recognizing achievements and cinematic excellence, and it was also nominated for Best Screenplay at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
The story
"Palestine 36", a historical drama revolving around the Palestinian revolution against British rule and the call for independence in 1936, is an international co-production between Palestine, Britain, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, with "MAD" company handling its distribution in the Arab world.
The film follows the character Youssef as he moves between his rural home and the bustling city of Jerusalem, longing for a future beyond the escalating disturbances in Mandatory Palestine in 1936, where several villages revolted against British rule. But history does not stop; as the number of Jewish immigrants fleeing rising fascism in Europe increases, and the Palestinian demands for independence, all parties head towards an inevitable clash at a crucial moment for the British Empire and the entire region's future.
The film is written and directed by Annemarie Jacir, cinematography by Helene Louvart (Invisible Life), edited by Tanya Reddin (Dirty Filthy Love), production design by Naël Kanj (Omar), costume design by Hamada Atallah, music by Ben Frost (Dark).
The film features an international cast that includes many notable names, such as Oscar-winning British actor Jeremy Irons, Palestinian actress Hiam Abbas, Palestinian actor Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri, Yasmine Al Massri, Jalal Tawil, Billy Howle, Dhafer L'Abidine, Yam Canning, and Robert Aramayo, along with newcomers Ward Halawi, Ward Eilbuni, Yafa Bakri, and Karim Dawood Anaya.
