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After its postponement, the Gouna Film Festival brought us a special programme, “Window on Palestine”, in collaboration with the Palestinian Film Institute. This edition features a curated selection of films, offering audiences a glimpse into the unseen lives and untold stories of the Palestinian people. Festival Director Intishal Al Timimi expressed their goal to “open a window into the rich and complex tapestry of Palestinian life, fostering empathy and understanding”. Through this initiative, the festival not only provides a platform for these voices but contributes to a broader conversation about shared human experiences. Here are ten movies to see during this edition of the renowned festival.

 

Ambulance (2016) 

Directed by Palestinian filmmaker Mohamed Jabaly, Ambulance is a personal narrative recounting the events of the 2014 war on Gaza. The film delves into underlying stories that perpetuate the cycle of violence and the 51-day-long journey ambulance drivers underwent during the 2014 aggression. 

 

Condom Lead (2013)

In this comedic portrayal of the Gaza War, Palestinian twins Arab and Tarzan Nasser directed Condom Lead, which was released in 2013. The film showcases the challenges faced by a married Palestinian couple attempting intimacy amidst disruptive Israeli shelling.

 

Bye Bye Tiberias (2023)

French-Palestinian-Algerian actor and filmmaker Lina Soualem’s Bye Bye Tiberias portrays the personal journeys of four generations of bold Palestinian women, each leaving a mark on the world despite their scattered identities. Hiam Abbass, who left her home to pursue a career in acting in France, returns home with her daughter and takes us on this journey along with her.

 

Drawing for Better Dreams (2015)

May Odeh’s short film Drawing for Better Dreams depicts the struggles of Palestinian children and explores how they cope through their crayon drawings.

 

La Porte du Soleil (Gate of the Sun) (2004)

Based on the novel by Elias Khoury, Yousry Nasrallah’s adaptation of Bab El Shams (Gate of the Sun) tells the story of Palestinian history, hope, and love.

 

 Not Just Your Picture (2021)

Anne Paq and Dror Dayan directed and produced Not Just Your Picture, a film that tells the story of two young German-Palestinian siblings whose lives were shattered by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in 2014.

 

Roof Knocking (2017)

Roof Knocking by Palestinian filmmaker Sina Salimi is a powerful film that reveals the Israeli military’s practice of calling inhabitants before bombing civilian areas, a chilling process they refer to as “roof knocking.”

 

Shujayya (Son of the Streets) (2016) 

Mohammed Almughanni’s short film Shujayya sheds light on a Gazan family thrown into disarray by attacks that destroyed their homes.

 

The Teacher (2023)

Exploring the daily challenges and anger felt by Palestinians, The Teacher by Farah Nabulsi depicts the consequences of residing in an environment where individuals with firearms dictate one’s actions. The film also had great success at the latest edition of the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. 

 

 To My Father (2008)

Abdelsalam Shehadeh’s To My Father examines the history of Palestinians and Arabs, contemplating the transformative influence of photography.