Filmmaker Annemarie Jacir shares insights into her latest feature, Palestine 36, which explores the Palestinian Arab Revolt of 1936-1939 under British mandate. Selected as Palestine's entry for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards, the film will screen in over 50 U.S. and Canadian cities on November 29 for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. In the interview, Jacir details production challenges, casting, and the film's relevance to current events.
Film Overview
Palestine 36 follows Yusuf, a young man navigating rural life and urban Jerusalem, who becomes radicalized amid the uprising against British occupation. Directed by Annemarie Jacir, the film highlights a rarely depicted period in Palestinian history, setting the stage for later conflicts like the 1948 war. Jacir emphasizes its timeliness, noting how British-era tactics like checkpoints and collective punishment mirror today's realities in occupied Palestine.
Production Challenges
Development spanned eight to nine years, with pre-production involving local teams in Palestine for authentic location scouting and period research. The cast and extras underwent training, including crop planting, traditional baking, and military drills led by a British soldier expert. Shooting began in Palestine but shifted to Jordan after October 7, 2023, due to safety concerns, destroying prepared sets and crops. Production paused amid regional escalations but resumed, insisting on finishing in Palestine to capture the land's cultural significance.
Casting and Style
Karim Daoud Anaya, a theater actor and parkour enthusiast from Qalqilya, was cast as Yusuf after a compelling audition, despite initial visual mismatches that required contact lenses for co-star Saleh Bakri. The ensemble includes numerous extras for stunts and explosions, achieved on a low budget using scrap materials for vehicles. Jacir aimed for intimate character stories amid historical spectacle, avoiding despair by focusing on human connections.
Reception and Themes
Jacir hopes audiences connect personally, viewing the film as a Palestinian perspective often overshadowed by dominant narratives. Responses have varied, reflecting the ongoing pain in Palestine, but the team sought light through creation. Upcoming screenings aim to foster solidarity and historical awareness.