Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir's historical drama, set against the backdrop of the 1930s Palestinian revolt against British colonial rule, is set to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Palestine 36 features an ensemble cast including Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons, Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham and Tunisinan actor Dhafer L'Abidine alongside Palestinian actors Hiam Abbass, Yasmine Al Massri, Kamel El Basha and long-time Jacir collaborator Saleh Bakri.
Set in Palestine in 1936, when the territory was under British control, the film follows Yusuf, who's torn between his rural home and the rising unrest in Jerusalem against colonial rule. As more and more Jewish immigrants escape an increasingly fascist Europe and calls for Palestinian independence grow louder, things spiral towards an inevitable collision, leading to the Palestinian Revolution, which lasted from 1936 until 1939.
Jacir is one of the Palestine's most celebrated contemporary filmmakers, known for award-winning films such as When I Saw You (2012) and the 2017 comedy Wajib, a road trip around Nazareth that follows a Palestinian father and his highly westernised son as they hand-deliver wedding invitations.
She has also served as jury member at both the Cannes and Berlin film festivals. Many of her films have been chosen as Palestine's entries to the Oscars. Jacir is also the founder of production company Philistine Films.
Palestine 36 has been in the making for years. The film was further delayed when production was halted 10 days before filming was set to begin in 2023, following Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Filming wrapped in October last year.
The film was previously titled All Before You before being changed by Jacir in February as a response to the subsequent destruction of Palestine.
"Many of you have asked me what happened to All Before You. Yes it’s the same film," Jacir posted on social media. "However in this year of darkness, unimaginable pain and death, a new title was born that holds all the power and strength of who we are.
"The film is a testament to our people and I am eternally grateful to all my crew, my cast, my producers and every single person who fought for this film to exist."
Palestine 36 is backed by Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Foundation's fund.
"We are thrilled beyond belief to announce Palestine 36 will be at Toronto as a Gala Screening. Congratulations to the whole team," the film's Instagram account shared on Monday.
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
