‘No Other Land’s’ Palestinian and Israeli Directors on Why U.S. Distributors Won’t Touch Their Doc: It’s ‘Completely Political’

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The documentary titled “No Other Land,” portraying the Israeli administration’s attempts to displace Palestinians from their homes in Masafer Yatta within the southern West Bank, has been consistently receiving recognition since it won the Best Documentary award at the 2021 Berlin Film Festival.

This moving documentary, capturing the gradual destruction of houses and villages by Israeli military bulldozers on schedule, was also screened in various prominent film events such as the New York Film Festival, and has recently been awarded the top honors by the New York Film Critics Circle and the International Documentary Association.

The film titled ‘No Other Land,’ directed by a collective of four young activists with Palestinian-Israeli backgrounds – Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor and Basel Adra – is being considered as a strong candidate for an Oscar nomination in the Documentary Feature category.

Despite being taken up for release in 24 nations, such as the UK and France, the film “No Other Land” hasn’t secured a legitimate U.S. distributor. Nevertheless, it will make its theatrical debut on January 31, with Cinetic Media handling bookings through Michael Tuckman Media.

Or:

In 24 countries including the UK and France, “No Other Land” has been selected for distribution. But in the U.S., it remains without a confirmed distributor. However, come January 31, it will premiere in cinemas with Cinetic Media arranging bookings through Michael Tuckman Media.

Or:

“No Other Land” is set to screen in 24 countries including the UK and France, but it lacks a U.S. distributor as of yet. On January 31 though, you’ll find it playing in theatres thanks to Cinetic Media who will coordinate bookings via Michael Tuckman Media.

In the passage below, EbMaster engages in conversation with Abraham and Adra regarding their struggles in securing U.S. distribution for their work. They emphasize the significance of showcasing their piece to American viewers due to specific reasons.

In the text that follows, EbMaster discusses with Abraham and Adra their difficulties in getting U.S. distribution for their project and explains why they believe it’s crucial for Americans to see their creation.

Both The New York Times and Associated Press have highlighted the unusual situation where the movie “No Other Land” hasn’t secured U.S. distribution yet. Can you speculate on what might be causing this issue?

Yuval Abraham: In essence, this movie is distributed globally and there’s significant interest in it within the U.S., so one might assume a prominent distributor would be involved. However, I perceive it as having strong political undertones. The focus is on Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank, which is quite controversial and disturbing. The film is highly critical of Israeli government policies. As an Israeli, I believe this criticism is beneficial, as it encourages needed changes in policy. However, I find that the discourse in the U.S. seems less nuanced; there appears to be less room for such criticism, even when presented through a movie medium.

The screenings at the New York Film Festival were exceptional. Every single one was fully booked, leaving a palpable hush following each viewing. Engaging discussions with the audience ensued, and there was a tremendous outpouring of support. Yet, our intention in creating this film extends beyond those already supportive – we aimed to reach individuals who might question or challenge our work, people like those who may be unaware or skeptical about the situation in Israel and Palestine. Specifically, we wanted to share the story of Masafer Yatta and its community in the West Bank with this audience as they are more likely to drive change. However, reaching this particular demographic is challenging because they may not typically attend film festivals like New York’s. Nonetheless, securing a prominent distributor would help us connect with people from diverse political viewpoints and levels of knowledge on the subject matter – exactly the audience we wish to show our film to in order to foster change.

Let’s delve into the story of the doctor. It all began in Berlin, where he received a significant award. However, things took a turn when Germany’s culture minister expressed concerns about his stage speeches, labeling them as “remarkably biased.

Basel Adra: It was disheartening and surprising to see such responses to our speeches, particularly from Germany which has historically claimed to be a democratic nation that values freedom of speech. I felt a sense of duty to discuss the plight of Palestinian people in Gaza and Masafer Yatta, seeking an end to violence, working together for a brighter future for all, and ending the occupation and apartheid.

Abraham: Currently, there’s not much dialogue about the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza, but it was even more intense in the past because of the isolation that the country was experiencing after the events of October 7. For me personally, experiencing dehumanization from the German side, given that my family are Holocaust survivors, was unbearable. I view antisemitism as a serious and significant issue, one that is unfortunately on the rise everywhere. I believe this response is detrimental not only to Palestinians and Israelis who oppose the occupation, but also to the genuine efforts against antisemitism. This is because when everything is labeled as antisemitic, the term becomes less meaningful.

Hey there! Could you tell me about your experience upon returning to Israel from Germany? I’ve come across some information suggesting that you faced potential harm or threats.

Abraham: You know, what made things toughest for me wasn’t just the death threats I faced, but rather the mob of right-wing individuals who descended upon my mother’s home. She doesn’t reside with me; she has her own place. Due to their arrival, she was forced to vacate her house in the dead of night out of fear. It seems they were searching for me. For a few nights, she took refuge at my sister’s home in Jerusalem. In fact, my parents ultimately decided to depart from the town where I was raised because of this event.

Has the document brought global attention to the circumstances in Masafer Yatta? Are things getting any better there now?

Adra: I’m sorry to say, but things have deteriorated significantly over the past 15 months here in Palestine, much like everywhere else. The destruction of our homes, schools, roads, and infrastructure has escalated. Settlers are constructing outposts, farms, and expanding their illegal settlements on our land without boundaries or restrictions. They hold all the power. Many settlers who should be imprisoned for crimes against our communities are instead soldiers and commanders in the Israeli army, controlling our lives. The situation is chaotic and unparalleled, even though it doesn’t reach the level of daily violence seen in Gaza, where an average of 50 to 100 people are killed by the Israeli army each day. Nonetheless, life here in the West Bank remains incredibly difficult.

In your opinion, how likely does it seem that there could be a truce between Israel and Hamas, as suggested by the movie symbolizing the potential for Israeli-Palestinian harmony?

As a movie enthusiast, I find this film an exploration of cohabitation. However, if you observe me and Basel, true cohabitation cannot occur when one side is non-existent. Sadly, the Palestinians lack a state. The community that Basel belongs to, Masafer Yatta, is being systematically wiped off the map in Israel. It’s crucial to note this absence on Israeli maps because it underscores their reality – they are not recognized or acknowledged.

While we yearn for peace and a political resolution, we recognize that such an outcome cannot be achieved without resisting the ongoing oppression that persists. Change must occur before we can envision a harmonious coexistence.

As a concerned citizen, I can’t help but express my deep worry that we may not witness a ceasefire soon. For far too long, discussions about a truce have been ongoing, yet the situation in Gaza seems to be worsening by the day. It’s as if the place is being systematically destroyed before our very eyes. Naturally, we yearn for a truce, but I find myself at a loss as to what comes next, especially given Israel’s current right-wing administration, which has seen a resurgence in popularity following Netanyahu’s decline after the Oct. 7 massacre. Regrettably, there seems to be no imminent dialogue on the table regarding any political resolution that could bring an end to the occupation and pave the way for a more promising future.

What would an Oscar nomination mean for “No Other Land”?

Adra: I’m hoping that “No Other Land” receives a nomination as it would increase understanding about the issue. I strongly encourage anyone in the U.S. who has heard about this movie to watch it. It’s crucial for people to see it so they can grasp what’s happening. We hope that those who do watch won’t just feel sympathetic, but will join our fight and our cause, taking action to help us bring change. Given the U.S.’s significant role in these events, I believe Americans have a particular responsibility. I hope they watch this movie, act accordingly, and do whatever they can to aid us in creating positive change.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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2025-01-09 17:47