Palestinians Mark 75 Years of Nakba: A Walkthrough of Remarkable Media Productions Illuminating the Catastrophe
Conflict chronicles on screen: Essential films detailing the displacement of Palestinian residents in 1948
Palestinians are celebrating 75 years since the Nakba, the expulsion of over 750,000 people from their homes and land, marking the establishment of Israel. Many of these Palestinians today reside in camps in the occupied West Bank or in exile in surrounding countries or blockaded Gaza.
To grasp the current plight, it's crucial to acknowledge the Nakba of 1948. In a previous article for Middle East Eye, I wrote about co-presenting the BBC documentary, The Holy Land and Us, delving into this turbulent era in Palestinian history.
From a young age, I had heard tales of my grandparents fleeing their village in 1948. Shockingly, most of my family are barred from revisiting the village, now renamed after being wiped off the map. This erasure of Palestinian existence is a tool Israel has utilized for 75 years.
Here, I present five other significant media productions that shine a light on the Nakba:
- Al Nakba by Rawan Damen (documentary series, 2008)
Al Jazeera's 2008 documentary series tackles the Nakba, offering a comprehensive narrative that begins 150 years before the events of 1948. The docuseries charts the colonization of Palestine and its impact on Palestinian life, delving deep into the historical context and shedding light on the underlying causes of the displacement.
- The Time That Remains by Elia Suleiman (scripted feature, 2009)
This semi-autobiographical film by Elia Suleiman offers a blend of tragedy, heartache, and comedy, chronicling the Nakba in Nazareth from 1948 to contemporary times. The film's unique absurdist style cleverly draws viewers in to reflect on the injustices enacted upon Palestinians.
- 1948 by Mohammad Bakri (documentary feature, 1998)
This 54-minute film consists of testimonials from eyewitnesses of the Nakba, including survivors of the Deir Yassin massacre and former residents from destroyed towns in Tiberius, documenting their experiences of forced displacement and expulsion.
- Tantura by Alon Schwarz (documentary feature, 2022)
Israeli director Alon Schwarz's 2022 film Showcases interviews with former Israeli soldiers who recall the massacre at Tantura during the Nakba. The film delves into the brutal reality of the Nakba and reveals the role played by Israelis in many of the displacements and massacres.
- Farha by Darin J Sallam (scripted feature, 2021)
Darin J Sallam's poignant film, based on a true story, follows the heart-rending journey of Farha, a spirited Palestinian girl, during the Nakba. The film's powerful performances and gripping narrative have drawn attention and acclaim, with Netflix defending its decision to host the film despite Israeli government attempts to ban it.
These media productions offer a vital and diverse perspective on the Nakba, shining a spotlight on the resilience, experiences, and struggles of the Palestinian people. By documenting the past, these productions fuel our understanding of the ongoing impacts on Palestinian society and provide a foundation for discussing solutions and pursuing justice.
To deepen understanding of the Nakba's lingering effects, one must explore various media productions that illuminate this unresolved aspect of the Middle East.
- Al Nakba by Rawan Damen, a 2008 documentary series, delves into 150 years of Palestine's history leading to the Nakba, presenting a comprehensive narrative and unveiling the historical roots of the displacement.
- The Time That Remains by Elia Suleiman is a semi-autobiographical film (2009) that combines elements of tragedy, heartache, and comedy, presenting the Nakba's impact on life in Nazareth from 1948 until the present day.
- In 1998, Mohammad Bakri's documentary feature, 1948, compiled eyewitness accounts from survivors of the Deir Yassin massacre and former residents of destroyed towns, shedding light on personal experiences of forced displacement and expulsion.
- Israeli director Alon Schwarz's 2022 film Tantura features interviews with former Israeli soldiers, uncovering the brutal reality of the Nakba and the part played by Israelis in many of the displacements and massacres.
- Farha by Darin J Sallam (2021) is a moving film based on a true story, following the harrowing journey of a Palestinian girl named Farha during the Nakba. Despite Israel's attempts to ban it, the film's powerful performances and compelling narrative have gained critical acclaim on Netflix.
These media productions showcase the resilience, experiences, and struggles of the Palestinian people, providing essential insights into the ongoing repercussions of the Nakba on Palestinian society and offering a platform for discussing resolution and pursuing justice. To better inform oneself about the situation in Palestine and the Middle East, it is essential to consume diverse media content, including but not limited to news, opinion pieces, analysis, documentaries, and feature films. Furthermore, it is crucial to pay attention to general news, crime and justice, cultural travel, lifestyle, entertainment, politics, and conflicts in this region to make informed decisions about its complex issues.
