Annemarie Jacir’s historical drama Palestina 36. Quando tutto ebbe inizio leads a new wave of international cinema screenings, examining the 1936 Arab revolt against British colonial rule. Set against a backdrop of rising tensions and increased Jewish immigration from Europe, the film follows a character named Yusuf caught between his country home and a restless Jerusalem.
Palestine 1936 Explored in Annemarie Jacir’s New Film at Cinema Lineup
Historical Scope of Palestina 36
The international co-production—involving Palestine, France, Denmark, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UK—is scheduled for screenings on Thursday 24, Monday 28, Tuesday 29, and Wednesday 30. The narrative centers on the thirty-year British colonial administration, tracking how escalating political pressures forced all factions toward an inevitable conflict during a critical juncture for the region.
Olivia Wilde Directs ‘The Invite’
Wilde directs and stars in a dark comedy about a married couple whose routine evening takes a sharp turn after hosting a provocative pair of neighbors. The project draws tonal comparisons to Perfetti Sconosciuti and the work of Woody Allen.
Documenting Iceland’s 1975 Women’s Strike
Pamela Hogan’s A Day Without Women (Un giorno senza donne) marks the 50th anniversary of the historic 1975 Icelandic strike, where ninety percent of the female population walked off the job and away from domestic duties to paralyze the nation. Screening on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29, the Iceland-US film uses interviews and animation to recount the day that positioned Iceland as the “best place in the world to be a woman”.
Investigative Documentaries Tackle Political Crises
The cinema program also features two politically charged documentaries focusing on contemporary Middle Eastern conflicts and leadership. Naza, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, captures nocturnal discussions on Tel Aviv rooftops regarding military strategies in Gaza. The UK production earned a Special Jury Prize at Venezia 83 and screens across multiple dates in late October.
Complementing the schedule, Alexis Bloom’s The Bibi Files utilizes police interrogation footage involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his family, and close associates. Produced by Alex Gibney, the US documentary features synchronized national screenings followed by a live-streamed Q&A featuring director Alexis Bloom, investigative journalist Giulia Innocenzi, and Il Fatto Quotidiano co-director Maddalena Oliva.
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