No Other Land, an Oscar-winning documentary co-directed by Palestinians Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal and Israelis Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, offers a profound exploration of the ongoing destruction of villages in the West Bank.
At its core lies the compelling story of Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta, and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, who unite in their fight against the systematic demolition of homes and lives.
The film, which has garnered awards including best documentary at the Berlin Film Festival, serves as a powerful lens into the lives disrupted by Israeli policies in the region, highlighting truths about occupation, displacement and the Palestinian human spirit.
Adra and his team use a mix of amateur footage and powerful storytelling to depict daily life in Masafer Yatta, a region consisting of around 20 Palestinian villages in the southern West Bank primarily engaged in agriculture and livestock farming.
These communities face significant challenges due to Israeli military policies, which have led to displacement and threats to their way of life, contrasting peaceful landscapes with the harsh realities of occupation.
From the very beginning, the documentary presents a stark narrative of resilience. Audiences are introduced to Masafer Yatta, a collection of villages nestled in the southern mountains of the West Bank.
This region, once a thriving agricultural hub, has been declared a “closed area” by the Israeli government under the disguise of military training, exposing the underlying intent to displace Palestinian villagers for illegal settlements.
The filmmakers document the heartbreaking moments when families are forced to leave their homes, often retreating to caves while bulldozers, protected by soldiers, dismantle their lives.
The imagery of children saddened by the destruction of their playgrounds and schools is haunting as it captures the profound loss felt by the community.
The emotional weight of No Other Land is magnified by the personal stories of its protagonists.
Basel faces the trauma of having his father arrested and harassed, while Yuval, despite being an Israeli, finds himself targeted by his own people for his support of the Palestinian cause.
The documentary also sheds light on the role of social media as a tool for activism. Basel’s use of his camera to document daily atrocities becomes a crucial means of raising awareness. His efforts to share these realities with the world underscore the importance of visibility in the struggle for justice.
Critically, No Other Land refrains from presenting a diluted perspective. There are no attempts to “both-side” the issue; instead, it confronts the viewer with the harsh realities faced by the Palestinian people.
The filmmakers aim to provoke a response from international audiences, imploring them to recognize the complicity of the West in perpetuating these injustices. The film’s unapologetic stance is a breath of fresh air in a landscape often saturated with ambivalence.
As the film progresses, it becomes clear that the struggle depicted is not just about land; it is about identity, dignity, and the right to exist. The heartbreaking scene of a family relocating from their homes to caves illustrates the lengths to which these communities must go to survive.
The film culminates in a chilling portrayal of violence, with harrowing accounts of individuals like Haron, an activist demanding his freedom was shot and left paralyzed by Israeli forces.
Therefore, the filmmakers do not shy away from capturing the raw emotions of their subjects—their fear, anger, and unwavering determination.
No Other Land also masterfully weaves in historical context, providing viewers with a nuanced understanding of the ongoing conflict.
Through archival footage and interviews, No Other Land traces the roots of displacement and occupation.
This context is crucial for viewers unfamiliar with the intricacies of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as it emphasizes that the issues at hand are not merely contemporary and are deeply rooted in decades of systemic injustice.
In its final moments, No Other Land leaves viewers with a lingering sense of unease. The last recorded images of rogue settlers approaching Masafer Yatta with guns showcase that the threat of violence is ever-present.
Yet, amidst the despair, the film offers a stirring vision for what could be—a world where Israelis and Palestinians work together in the name of justice, collaborating toward a future in which both communities can thrive.
Through the lens of Adra and Abraham, the film highlights the urgent need for awareness and action as well as celebrates the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced.
