DUBAI — Acclaimed Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir is set to make a powerful return to the global stage with the premiere of her historical drama “Palestine 36” at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film will debut as a gala screening, a prestigious slot often reserved for the year’s most anticipated features.
A Story of Uprising and Identity
Set against the volatile backdrop of 1936 Mandatory Palestine, the film tells the story of a historic Arab revolt against British colonial rule.
Official synopsis:
“1936. As villages across Mandatory Palestine rise against British colonial rule, Yusuf drifts between his rural home and the restless energy of Jerusalem, longing for a future beyond the growing unrest. But history is relentless...”
The film captures a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern history — a time marked by British dominion, rising Jewish immigration due to antisemitism in Europe, and the largest Palestinian uprising prior to 1948.
Star-Studded International Cast
“Palestine 36” boasts an impressive international and regional ensemble:
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Jeremy Irons (Oscar-winner)
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Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones)
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Dhafer L’Abidine (Tunisian actor)
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Hiam Abbass, Yasmine Al-Massri, Kamel El Basha, and Saleh Bakri — celebrated Palestinian actors
Years in the Making
Jacir, known for her films Salt of the Sea, When I Saw You, Wajib, and her work on the series Ramy, has nurtured the “Palestine 36” project since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For years I’ve dreamed to make a film about the 1936 revolt — one of the most critical moments in our history — but in a way that is intimate, personal and raw,” Jacir said in a statement to Variety.
She emphasized that the film explores the human cost of resistance and conflict, focusing on personal choices that change people forever.
Supported by Regional Film Funds
“Palestine 36” received financial backing from key Middle Eastern institutions, including:
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Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fund
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Qatar’s Katara Studios
The film is expected to spark global dialogue on colonial legacies, Palestinian identity, and the political forces that shaped the modern Middle East.
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