Shadows on the Wall | Palestine 36

Palestine 36

Review by Rich Cline | MUST SEE

dir-scr Annemarie Jacir
prd Ossama Bawardi
with Karim Daoud Anaya, Yasmine Al Massri, Dhafer L'Abidine, Saleh Bakri, Jeremy Irons, Robert Aramayo, Billy Howle, Ward Helou, Wardi Eilabouni, Jalal Altawil, Hiam Abbass, Liam Cunningham, Sam Hoare
release US Oct.25 ciff,
UK 31.Oct.25
25/Palestine BBC 1h55

TORONTO FILM FEST

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This detailed historical epic skilfully chronicles a pivotal point in Palestine's history. Refusing to celebrate acts of terror, writer-director Annemarie Jacir creates vivid characters who offer strong perspectives on real-life events, artfully augmented by the interweaving of skilfully restored archival footage. And as the human stories pull us in, the film offers a strong sense of what is still at stake in this conflict nearly a century later.

Under the British mandate in 1936, Jewish refugees flood into Palestine, settling on land farmed by Arab families for a thousand years. Frustrated by Britain's refusal to offer a solution, the Arabs stage general strikes that paralyse the region. Caught up in this are Yusuf (Anaya), a young driver working for editor Amitr (L'Abidine) and his fiercely independent journalist wife Khouloud (Al Massri). Rebel leader Khalid (Bakri) is hiding in the hills, taunting High Commissioner Wauchope (Irons) and especially the ruthless Captain Wingate (Aramayo). But Wauchope's secretary Thomas (Howle) is more sympathetic to the locals.

Other key characters include Yusuf's young sister Afra (Eilabouni) and her preteen friend Kareem (Helou), both of whom watch all of this unfold with interest. Kareem's father Boulos (Altawil) is a Christian priest who is helping Arabs smuggle arms. Each family is caught in the conflict as British troops descend on their ancestral village. The British certainly don't come off well, especially with echoes of similar clashes throughout their former empire. And Jewish settlers remain largely on the film's margins, building enclaves on stolen land.

The excellent eclectic cast offers beautifully textured performances that sharply depict each person's struggle to do what needs to be done. While Irons and Aramayo have perhaps the least nuanced roles, both adeptly add vibrant shadings. At the centre, the charismatic Anaya gives Yusuf a thoughtful, passionate yearning for justice. And the magnetic Al Massri makes the observant, sparky Khouloud hugely memorable. It also helps to have gifted veterans like Abbass and Cunningham in key smaller roles.

Impressively, Jacir makes the politics clear, offering insight into each aspect of the situation, but keeps the film focussed on people. So we become attached to the residents of this ancient village on the outskirts of Jerusalem who just want to continue their lives. They embrace other nationalities and religions, but are pushed into action because they have no other option. It's a clear comment on what's happening in the region right now, and also a reminder that ordinary families pay for the brutality of powerful rulers.

themes, language, violence 17.Oct.25 lff

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