THE enduring situation in Gaza has led to the erasure of its population, culture and identity. In this context, it is crucial to highlight the films emerging from this region, as they serve as powerful expressions of resilience and cultural heritage.

One such film, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, garnered international attention at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category. Its remarkable storytelling and direction earned it the Best Directing Award, marking a significant achievement for Palestinian cinema.

The film, reminiscent of a Western, is the work of Palestinian directors Tarzan and Arab Nasser (aka Ahmed and Mohamed Abunasser). Born in the Gaza Strip in 1988, the twin brothers attempt to portray their homeland with humour and subtle social commentary. Their stories typically focus on everyday people living in Gaza.

The film adopts a vintage 1960s Spaghetti Western style, drawing titular inspiration from Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West and Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

The story unfolds in Gaza in 2007, focusing on Yahya, a student who forms an unlikely friendship with Osama, a charismatic restaurant owner and small-time criminal with a good heart. Together, they venture into the world of drug sales, specifically dealing in painkillers prescribed by Osama’s doctor. They ingeniously hide the pills inside falafel sandwiches for sale.

Then, the narrative jumps two years ahead, shifting focus as a traumatised Yahya is approached by a film director. Yahya resembles a militant — whose funeral is shown at the beginning of the movie — and he is cast to play him in an action film sponsored by Gaza’s Ministry of Culture. Yahya finds himself on a set where real weapons are used.

The concept of a film-within-a-film explores the relationship between cinema and reality, implying that fiction can serve as a form of resistance. Themes of resistance and martyrdom constantly are central to Palestinian culture.

The film consistently references the struggle against Israel, from the drones circling overhead to a humorous scene where an actor playing an Israeli officer in a promotional video refuses to step on a Palestinian flag.

Near the end, flashbacks reveal brighter days when Osama and Yahya first met.

Through its narrative, the film illustrates the daily realities faced by the people of Gaza, emphasizing their resilience and endurance, “living inside a prison sealed from every direction.”

The film opens with a plain black screen, and Donald Trump’s voice-over introducing his wild plan to turn Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

Its powerful narrative underscores the remarkable resilience of Gaza’s residents, suggesting that the dream of the Riviera of the Middle East could truly evolve into an inspiring reality, but shaped by the very individuals who call this place home. The film’s message resonates deeply, highlighting the strength and hope of a community often overlooked in broader narratives.

What makes this movie remarkable is its capacity to allow the people of Gaza and their environment to tell their own stories in an engaging way.

Currently on release in France and in search of a British distributor.