Palestine 36

Tuesday October 20th

Annemarie Jacir / UK / 119 min / Cert 12A

Starring Jeremy Irons as High Commissioner, this sweeping historical drama tackles a moment of profound change: the year 1936, when the Great Palestinian Revolt broke through the complacency of British colonial rule. At the centre of the story is Yusuf (Karim Daoud Anaya), a young man from the village who serves as a connector between urban and rural worlds when he becomes the protégé of a wealthy patron in Jerusalem. Director Jacir doesn’t spare any the upsetting detail in this documentary-style film.

This film “Shakes off any remaining comforting period drama gloss to speak directly, arrestingly, to today.” BFI