Documentary on Israeli Occupation Crimes is Up for an Oscar
Scene from the documentary ‘No Other Land’. X/ @TheBSFC
December 14, 2024 Hour: 7:55 am
‘No Other Land’ was co-directed by Palestinian Basel Adra and Israeli Yuval Abraham.
Five years of recording Israeli aggression and occupation in a Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank form the foundation of a multi-award-winning documentary that is now looking to the Oscars. Its creators hope international recognition can help push for change in Palestine.
RELATED:
Gaza’s Death Toll Surpasses 44,800 Amid Ongoing Conflict
Palestinian Basel Adra and Israeli Yuval Abraham are the directors of No Other Land, a story that chronicles the impunity of Israeli military crimes against Palestinian villages in Masafer Yatta, located south of Hebron. The film depicts bulldozers demolishing schools and homes, settlers cutting water pipelines, and soldiers threatening and shooting at those defending their land.
This community began documenting Israeli aggression more than twenty years ago, back when Adra was just a child. As he took on the role behind the camera, the documentation became more consistent, with a clearer intent to expose the reality in real-time.
“Back then, I had a lot of faith in the work we were doing—documenting and publishing—and I believed that once it went viral, things would change. That people would act, that governments wouldn’t stay silent,” Adra recalls.
However, over time, global inaction has eroded Adra’s hope and enthusiasm. He is now convinced that “the West does not want the genocide in Gaza or the occupation in the West Bank to end.”
“Social media is full of videos of Israeli soldiers filming themselves committing crimes. No one is doing anything, no one pays the price for these crimes, there are no consequences,” he states.
“I’ll be honest: it’s very hard to find hope. We’re living through very dark times,” the Palestinian summarizes, though he remains convinced that “there are many things that could be done to stop this, to force a ceasefire, and to end the occupation.”
The Difficulty of Change
The lack of international response and the resulting despair have not stopped them from documenting and exposing the situation. “It’s very hard to simply decide to stop,” Adra says, aware of the importance of standing by his community and recognizing that it might be the only contribution people like him, who lack “real power,” can make to try to change things.
“If change happens, it won’t be because of a film or a single person. It will come from a collective effort,” Abraham admits. “That’s why we keep fighting—because we believe that one day we will see change. And I hope I live to see it,” he adds.
However, both directors acknowledge that real change requires a shift in Western foreign policy. “Unfortunately, the people who have power are not willing to use it to stop what is happening,” Adra laments.
“If there isn’t a significant shift in Europe’s and the United States’ foreign policy, there won’t be any internal change in Israel,” Abraham concludes.
“There’s no interest in finding a solution,” the Palestinian continues, arguing that “there are steps that could be taken, such as recognizing the Palestinian state.” Spain and other European countries recently made this recognition—a small but potentially meaningful step if followed by others.
Abraham suggests additional measures, such as sanctioning settlements, something that would create real pressure. “If [Israelis] don’t pay a price for continuing the occupation, the likelihood of change is low,” he asserts.
The Importance of an Oscar
No Other Land, recently awarded Best Documentary at the European Film Awards and a winner at the 74th Berlinale, is a film that does not shy away from activism, addressing a reality it describes as “so unjust and asymmetrical.”
“The main reason for making this film was to shed light on this community, and I think the recognition the film is receiving is a way to give the community the platform it truly deserves,” Abraham notes.
The documentary is among the frontrunners for an Oscar nomination and is a strong contender for the coveted award. Such recognition would allow the directors to achieve another goal: reaching the widest possible audience and exerting international pressure.
“I hope that by watching No Other Land, there will be some kind of push, some kind of energy in the world that eventually leads to change and international pressure,” expresses the Israeli director.
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE
