Al-hadiya

I watched this film via a film festival and got to hear from the director that the opening scene of humans walking through an Israeli checkpoint were live and real. My God! Seeing these forbidden scenes that mainstream media won't show alone is a reason to watch this film. The beautiful superb acting and simple story being the point home beautifully. We need more from Palestinian film makers bearing witness to the plight of the plight of Palestinians in this humane way.

I don't know about the original Arabic title, but the English translation of this Academy Award nominated short, "The Present," has a neat double meaning, as it refers to both the wedding anniversary gift of a refrigerator and to the current state of affairs of the apartheid system of occupation and border control of the West Bank. None of the ethnic, historical, political or religious underpinnings are explored here, thankfully; it's just a simple tale of a man and his daughter going twice through a checkpoint to go shopping and return home and the indignities and pain suffered there from.

Indeed, the supposed Israeli guards aren't depicted flatteringly at all, but it is rather the opposite of what one sees in most movies that reach the West and are located somewhere in the Middle East, where Arabic and Palestinian characters are often played by Israeli actors instead of, as here, reportedly, the other way around. And, I look forward to seeing "White Eye," the Israeli nominee for the same award.

The Present is a heartbreaking film that illustrates the reality of the israeli occupation in Palestine. In this short film, the director was able to brilliantly capture the essence of the inhumane israeli occupation of Palestinians by demonstrating its unjust treatment of Palestinian citizens and showcasing the checkpoints, segregated roads, constant interrogation and continuous armed inspection that Palestinians must go through every single day when performing tasks as simple as going shopping in their town. The film also sheds light on the physical and mental repercussions of this occupation on the men, women and especially children who suffer because of it.

A 24 mins that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you get to experience a glimpse of the protagonist's perspective as he suffers just to get his wife...an anniversary present.

The film's introduction builds a connection between audience members and the characters of the short film just through one scene. With the help of the production design, our first look at the three characters that the story revolves around takes place at their house in a small bedroom where they share a cute family moment. As well as, cute husband and wife moment that tells us the relationship that the married couple have and the struggles they face. Thanks to this short introduction, an empathy is created in our hearts that carries on till the end of the struggling short trip that the protagonist makes.

Watched on: November 26th, 2023 My rating: 9/10.

Most of the series that talks about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict are biased to Israel, but this film shows a part of the humiliation and suffering Palestinian face every day at Israeli checkpoints. Looking forward more like this in the future.