The Palestinian film 'Palestine 36' by director Annemarie Jacir continues its successful international run, having arrived in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to present a series of screenings throughout April. One of Nairobi's major cinemas is hosting 25 screenings of the film, which began today, Wednesday, and will continue until the end of the month, a step that enhances the presence of Palestinian cinema on the African continent.
This presence in Kenya follows a busy tour of major cinematic forums, where the film managed to reach the shortlist for the 2026 Academy Award in the Best International Feature Film category. The work also received prestigious nominations at the European Film Awards, making it one of the most prominent Arab and Palestinian cinematic productions recently.
The film had its world premiere at the 'Gala' screenings of the Toronto International Film Festival, before moving to the Arab region via the Red Sea International Film Festival. Its participations continued to include the Marrakech International Film Festival, which chose it as its closing film, in addition to its screening at the Mediterranean Film Festival in Brussels and commercial screenings in several capitals.
For his part, Palestinian Minister of Culture Imad Hamdan affirmed that the film's representation of Palestine at the Oscars came after a precise evaluation by the ministry, emphasizing that the work skillfully embodies the Palestinian national narrative. Hamdan explained that the film contributes to preserving national identity in the face of attempts at marginalization, offering an artistic approach based on the essence of the issue as an extended colonial reality.
'Palestine 36' revolves around a pivotal historical era, shedding light on the 1936 revolt against the British Mandate, addressing the intersections of resistance with daily human life. The screenplay focuses on the character of the young man 'Youssef' who experiences major transformations between his village and the city of Jerusalem, amidst escalating waves of migration and political tensions that reshaped the region.
Director Annemarie Jacir stated that her interest in this revolt stems from her desire to present history from a purely human perspective, away from rigid frameworks. She indicated that the film explores the fateful decisions individuals are forced to make under harsh circumstances, considering that completing the work amidst the current conditions carries deep symbolic meanings.
The film is the fruit of extensive international co-production, with entities from Palestine, Qatar, Britain, France, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan participating in its production. This production diversity contributed to providing high artistic capabilities that placed the film among global competitors, while preserving the specificity of the Palestinian story and its historical dimensions.
The work features an elite group of Arab and international stars, led by global star Jeremy Irons, artist Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, and Saleh Bakri. The cast also includes Yasmine Al Massri, Jalal Al-Taweel, and Dhafer L'Abidine, who delivered performances reflecting the development of the Palestinian film industry and its ability to attract global talents to serve the cause.
The film's selection reflects the ability of Palestinian cinema to express the national narrative and preserve identity in the face of ongoing attempts at erasure.
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Film 'Palestine 36' Continues Its Global Journey with 25 Screenings in the Kenyan Capital, Nairobi