Farha

I am Jewish. I want to make this abundantly clear in my review. I am the Am Yisrael. I am supposed to hate this.

But I cannot. This is an extremely difficult to watch movie. It's psychologically torturous. It is, genuinely, the hardest watch since I saw Stalker or Solaris, and people who watch Russian sci-fi know the extent of it.

This communicated the message better than anything ever before. I feel like had I watched it as a Zionist, it would bring me to the point I am at right now regardless.

The raw power, the naked truthfulness of the movie makes it an extremely valuable experience and motivates the watcher to take action against the Israeli oppression. I am deeply ashamed that my holy land is being claimed by an apartheid state.

The tale of Farha is not only a tale of the destruction of Palestinian life caused by the Nakba. It is a sensitive and beautiful portrait of traditional village life and the dreams of a young girl who desires an education beyond that provided to girls by the village Sheikh as well as a destiny beyond marriage. No one should miss this portrait of Palestine in 1948.

Although the film begins at a time of turmoil, the traditional harvest by the women of the village is shown while Farha reads a book. Her father, as mayor, is asked to join the fighters but hesitates. A traditional betrothal is shown, and the viewer becomes aware of Farha's indifference to a marriage arrangement and her own ambition to study at a school in the city. It is against this backdrop that the violence and destruction of the Nakba begins to unfold.

The inclusion of traditional harvest and betrothal songs are beautiful details and offer a counterpoint to the horror of the events of 1948.

As an advocate of the Palestinian cause for decades, I needed no convincing. I didn't need a documentary or history lesson. What I got was a compelling story of a family and the village they lived in during the time of the Nakba. It was all the more engaging for essentially being a true story passed down the generations by "Farha" herself.

It's rare that I sit watching the credits at the end of a film. I did so stunned and halfway through the flood of bitter tears came. Tears at the ruination of Farha's life and that of millions of others, tears at the way Palestine was dispossessed, tears at the destruction of a settled culture and traditions to make way for invaders.

I can't imagine how this tale could have been better acted, directed or told. I've visited the camps in Syria where Farha ended up and I know that Palestine is engraved on the hearts of everyone there. I long for the day that they can return.

Please watch this film.

I'm not going to lie, this makes really difficult viewing. Anyone with an ounce of empathy and compassion will find it heartbreaking. But this also makes it essential viewing so that we understand the history and the pain of the Palestinian people. I had hoped to see it more from a historical aspect but seeing it from the view of Farha really helps you to get to grips with what it was like for Palestinians at the time. It isn't overly graphic but could be quite a traumatic watch for younger viewers. But what about the situation in Palestine isn't traumatic? I watched it with my 13, 11 and 6 yr old children.

Decided to finally watch this, didn't regret it one bit. If you're expecting a political film, this is not it. This was a raw and emotional account of how a young Palestinian girl lost everything near and dear to her and how her aspirations of becoming a teacher and opening a girls school in her village were destroyed due to the events of the Nakba.

It was filmed very well with brilliant cinematography and amazing sound design. The primary protagonist was great and the overall acting was very convincing.

Definitely worth a watch!

Be aware that this film has some tear jerking moments, it is the unfortunate reality of what occured in Palestine.