Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir’s new feature film Palestine 36 premiered this week, supported in part by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fund.
Set on the outskirts of Jerusalem, the film explores the 1936 Arab uprising against British rule in Mandatory Palestine.
According to the official synopsis, the story follows Yusuf, who moves between his rural village and Jerusalem as unrest spreads. With Jewish refugees arriving from Europe to escape antisemitism and Palestinians uniting in the largest revolt against British colonial authority, the narrative builds towards a decisive confrontation that shaped the region’s future.
The production features an international cast, including Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons, Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Tunisian star Dhafer L’Abidine. They appear alongside Palestinian performers Hiam Abbass, Yasmine Al-Massri, Kamel El Basha and Saleh Bakri.
The premiere was attended by British actors Billy Howle and Robert Aramayo, Palestinian actor Karim Daoud Anaya, and producer Ossama Bawardi. Jacir was joined by cast members Abbass, Al-Massri and Bakri.
Jacir, whose previous work includes Salt of the Sea, When I Saw You, Wajib and episodes of Ramy, began developing the project prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
