DIRECTOR: 22 directors
STARRING: documentary
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 55 minutes
LANGUAGE: Arabic
The documentary is a compelling project that brings together 22 short films created by talented filmmakers from Gaza. Launched by Rashid Masharawi, the initiative emerged amid the backdrop of conflict, aiming to provide a platform for young artists to express themselves through their art. Each film, ranging from 3 to 7 minutes, presents a unique experience on the current reality in Gaza.
***
From Ground Zero includes 22 short films made by young Ghazawi filmmakers, like Nada'A Abu Hasna, Bashar Al-Belbessy, Mahdi Karira and Aws Al-Banna, who chose to express themselves through cinema, to denounce and show the world the systematic extermination of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The film is set to make its worldwide premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 9th.
The Palestinian Ministry of Culture announced on August 24th that they have chosen From Ground Zero as their submission. “This nomination confirms the importance and role of Palestinian cinema even in the most difficult and unjust circumstances, because the directors of this work were able to tell their stories and document their human experiences in the harshest conditions,” declared Palestinian Minister of Culture, Imad Hamdan.
The film was produced by Rashid Masharawi, who worked alongside French production company Coorigine Productions and producer Laura Nikolov, who took care of the coordination between all the groups in Gaza, receiving the material, and supervising the post-production.
From Ground Zero is a documentary and it was filmed Gaza, Palestine.
To check out all previous submissions for Palestine, click HERE.
STARRING: documentary
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 55 minutes
LANGUAGE: Arabic
The documentary is a compelling project that brings together 22 short films created by talented filmmakers from Gaza. Launched by Rashid Masharawi, the initiative emerged amid the backdrop of conflict, aiming to provide a platform for young artists to express themselves through their art. Each film, ranging from 3 to 7 minutes, presents a unique experience on the current reality in Gaza.
***
From Ground Zero includes 22 short films made by young Ghazawi filmmakers, like Nada'A Abu Hasna, Bashar Al-Belbessy, Mahdi Karira and Aws Al-Banna, who chose to express themselves through cinema, to denounce and show the world the systematic extermination of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The film is set to make its worldwide premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 9th.
The Palestinian Ministry of Culture announced on August 24th that they have chosen From Ground Zero as their submission. “This nomination confirms the importance and role of Palestinian cinema even in the most difficult and unjust circumstances, because the directors of this work were able to tell their stories and document their human experiences in the harshest conditions,” declared Palestinian Minister of Culture, Imad Hamdan.
The film was produced by Rashid Masharawi, who worked alongside French production company Coorigine Productions and producer Laura Nikolov, who took care of the coordination between all the groups in Gaza, receiving the material, and supervising the post-production.
From Ground Zero is a documentary and it was filmed Gaza, Palestine.
To check out all previous submissions for Palestine, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Take me away, oh God, from this mournful garden. I want to live in peace.”
From Ground Zero is a deeply impactful and poignant documentary, which offers a crucial glimpse into life in the Gaza Strip that many people might not otherwise see. The way it balances the harsh realities of the situation with moments of resilience, creativity, and community is especially important, as it can help humanize a narrative that is often reduced to political discourse or headlines. It's films like these that remind us of the power of documentary filmmaking to shed light on important stories that might otherwise be marginalized or ignored.
From Ground Zero is a collection of 22 short films from 22 different directors from across Palestine. These films offer a window into the lives and experiences of people in Gaza. By bringing together these films, each one ranging from 3 to 7 minutes long, and by it being crafted by different filmmakers, the project not only highlights the diversity of perspectives within the region but also underscores the true reality of those living under these impossible circumstances.
The film speaks to the daily struggle of existence in an environment where fear and uncertainty dominate, leaving little room for peace or respite. The cycle of waiting, whether for sleep, escape, or the safety of daylight, highlights the emotional toll of the Palestinians, where even the simplest aspects of life become sources of tension and longing. The concept of time turns into a relentless adversary. The documentary further captures a person stripped down to its most basic instincts like staying alive, running from danger, and scavenging for essentials like wood and food. The urgency and desperation in these films reflect a world where survival becomes the sole focus, overshadowing all other aspects of life.
But despite all of this, there’s a defiant assertion of the desire to live fully, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. It speaks to the longing for joy and fulfillment in the present moment, rather than postponing it for a future that may never come. In a world where survival often takes precedence over everything else, this film is a reminder of the enduring human spirit, the drive to seek out moments of happiness and meaning, even amid the harshest circumstances.
Ground zero traditionally refers to the exact point on the Earth's surface directly beneath or above a nuclear explosion, symbolizing the epicenter of destruction. This is Gaza. This is Palestine. It’s a place of profound loss, but more importantly, it’s also a focal point for stories of endurance, resilience, and the love of life, all being told from the very heart of the devastation.
REVIEW: B+
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Take me away, oh God, from this mournful garden. I want to live in peace.”
From Ground Zero is a deeply impactful and poignant documentary, which offers a crucial glimpse into life in the Gaza Strip that many people might not otherwise see. The way it balances the harsh realities of the situation with moments of resilience, creativity, and community is especially important, as it can help humanize a narrative that is often reduced to political discourse or headlines. It's films like these that remind us of the power of documentary filmmaking to shed light on important stories that might otherwise be marginalized or ignored.
From Ground Zero is a collection of 22 short films from 22 different directors from across Palestine. These films offer a window into the lives and experiences of people in Gaza. By bringing together these films, each one ranging from 3 to 7 minutes long, and by it being crafted by different filmmakers, the project not only highlights the diversity of perspectives within the region but also underscores the true reality of those living under these impossible circumstances.
The film speaks to the daily struggle of existence in an environment where fear and uncertainty dominate, leaving little room for peace or respite. The cycle of waiting, whether for sleep, escape, or the safety of daylight, highlights the emotional toll of the Palestinians, where even the simplest aspects of life become sources of tension and longing. The concept of time turns into a relentless adversary. The documentary further captures a person stripped down to its most basic instincts like staying alive, running from danger, and scavenging for essentials like wood and food. The urgency and desperation in these films reflect a world where survival becomes the sole focus, overshadowing all other aspects of life.
But despite all of this, there’s a defiant assertion of the desire to live fully, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. It speaks to the longing for joy and fulfillment in the present moment, rather than postponing it for a future that may never come. In a world where survival often takes precedence over everything else, this film is a reminder of the enduring human spirit, the drive to seek out moments of happiness and meaning, even amid the harshest circumstances.
Ground zero traditionally refers to the exact point on the Earth's surface directly beneath or above a nuclear explosion, symbolizing the epicenter of destruction. This is Gaza. This is Palestine. It’s a place of profound loss, but more importantly, it’s also a focal point for stories of endurance, resilience, and the love of life, all being told from the very heart of the devastation.
REVIEW: B+
