Annemarie Jacir's epic historical drama about a forgotten uprising that shook the British Empire.
It is a cinematic reckoning with a revolt erased from textbooks but alive in memory that explains how we got to where we are today, framing our fight fundamentally as an anti-colonial struggle
It has a genuine shot of securing a nomination, which would greatly increase the profile of Palestinian cinema and our history
It was made in Palestine in historic circumstances by local filmmakers who have been deeply committed to building the film industry in Palestine.
A Story of Resistance
Palestine 36 depicts our people not as victims of history but as protagonists engaging in active resistance against the colonial enterprise that has plagued our region for decades.
From the restoration of historic villages and crops to hand-stitched costumes and British war vehicles built from scratch, Palestine 36 is Palestine’s most ambitious production to date. Filming paused and resumed four times amidst war, occupation, and genocide. Yet the team persisted—holding onto one belief:
“Every beautiful poem is an act of resistance.”
- Mahmoud Darwish
about the film
In 1936, the people of Palestine ignited a revolt that would become the longest anti-colonial uprising in British Empire history. In Palestine 36, acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir resurrects this buried chapter through the interwoven lives of villagers caught between empire, rebellion, and the dream of freedom.
Told through an ensemble of richly drawn characters, Palestine 36 paints an intimate, emotionally charged portrait of a society on the edge. From the streets of Jerusalem to the fields of Al Basma, resistance smolders in quiet glances, broken radios, and the rhythmic rituals of everyday life. Shot across Palestine and Jordan under extraordinary political pressure, this is a film forged in the fires of both historical and present-day struggle.
Distributed by Watermelon Pictures
Watermelon Pictures is proud to distribute Palestine 36. As a Palestinian family-owned independent company committed to politically urgent cinema, Watermelon champions films that challenge dominant narratives and uphold the dignity of marginalized communities.
Our decision to back an awards campaign for Palestine 36 is not just about bringing the film to audiences—it’s about making space for Palestinian stories on Palestinian terms. This partnership ensures that the film will be shown with care, context, and the community it deserves, while also reaching far beyond our base and into new audiences.
Cast & Collaborators
featuring
a historic and star-studded cast of Jeremy Irons, Liam Cunningham, Robert Aramayo, Billy Howle, Saleh Bakri, Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Yasmine Al Massri,Dhafer L'Abidine and rising stars from the Palestinian diaspora, the film is lensed by Hélène Louvart and scored by Ben Frost. Edited by Tania Reddin, with costumes by Hamada Atallah, Palestine 36 is a collaboration across generations and geographies.
director’s vision
“Set in a time I never lived, Palestine 36 is deeply personal. It’s about ordinary people in extraordinary times. A country erupts into rebellion—and everything, for a moment, feels possible.”
