Palestine 36: A Historical Drama for the Ages
Palestine has chosen the film "Palestine 36" directed by Annemarie Jacir as its official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the best international feature category. The movie is a historical drama set in 1936 during the Palestinian revolt against British colonial rule. It follows the story of Yusuf, a young villager navigating the political turmoil in Jerusalem amidst unrest, British crackdowns, and the arrival of Jewish immigrants fleeing antisemitism in Europe. The film will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival with a special screening on September 5.
The cast of "Palestine 36" includes well-known actors such as Hiam Abbass, Saleh Bakri, Robert Aramayo, Billy Howle, Liam Cunningham, Dafer L’Abidine, Yasmine Al-Massri, Yumna Marwan, Karim Daoud Anaya, and Jeremy Irons. The movie was produced by a team of producers from various production companies, including Philistine Films, Autonomous, Corniche Media, MK Productions, and Snowglobe.
Initially planned to be filmed entirely in Palestine, production of the movie faced disruptions after events on Oct. 7, leading to parts of the film being shot in Jordan before returning to Palestine to complete filming. Annemarie Jacir, a renowned Palestinian filmmaker, has previously directed acclaimed films like "Salt of the Sea," "When I Saw You," and "Wajib," all of which were also submitted as Palestine's entries for the Oscars. She is the founder of Philistine Films, a production company dedicated to supporting independent Arab cinema.
International sales for "Palestine 36" are being handled by France's mk2 films and Lucky Number. The film promises to be a compelling portrayal of a significant period in Palestinian history, offering a unique perspective on the challenges faced by individuals caught in the midst of political turmoil and social change.