“Palästina 36“ taps into the early origins of the ongoing conflict in Palestine in 1936. As Jews were persecuted in Germany and wider Europe, the British mandate authorities supported increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, framing it at times as a refuge, while tensions on the ground were already escalating.

Palestinian director Anne Marie Jacir zooms in on the fate of one village, Al-Basma. Yusuf Al Bassawi (Karim Daoud Anaya), born and raised there, works as a driver for publisher Amir Atef (Dhafer L’Abidine) in Jerusalem. Over the course of the 119-minute film, the audience witnesses his inner conflict between his life in the city, his roots in Al-Basma, and the differing political convictions around him. After a shocking incident, Yusuf decides to join the rebellion and fight for Palestine.

What follows is a depiction of Palestine at the height of the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt, in which Palestinians resisted British colonial rule and increasing Zionist settlement.

Told through the perspectives and fates of different protagonists and families, the stories are connected by a shared sense of hope and resilience despite the surrounding violence.

The imagery is often quiet, leaving space for the wide, almost mythical landscapes of Palestine, but also for the erupting violence and brutality of the British authorities and Zionist militias.

Jacir and her team reconstructed parts of the village of Al-Basma in order to film on original locations and better capture the atmosphere of the land. Following the events of 7 October 2023, production was temporarily relocated to Jordan, before returning 13 months later to the original filming sites. This makes it the only film production in Palestine within the past two years, turning it into a symbol of cultural resilience.

The closing scene could just as well belong to the present: protesters marching through the streets, chanting and waving the Palestinian flag.

An exceptional film of strong political relevance for anyone seeking to understand Palestinian suffering and the historical roots of the ongoing conflict.

„Palästina 36“ will be screened in German cinemas from Thursday, 14 May 2026

onwards.