‘All That’s Left of You’ spans generations of a family’s internalized fury over occupation

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The documentary “All That’s Left of You” begins with an older woman speaking directly to the viewer. With a mix of sadness and resolve, she states her intention to share the story of her son, but explains that she first needs to recount the experiences of his grandfather.

I recently saw “All That’s Left of You,” and it really stuck with me. It’s written and directed by Cherien Dabis, who also stars as Hanan, and it’s a sweeping story that follows one Palestinian family over seventy years. While it occasionally leans a bit too heavily into emotional moments, the film powerfully shows the impact of the occupation on those living under it. It definitely feels like a film with a mission, but beneath that, you can sense Dabis’ own complex feelings about the situation in Israel and Palestine – a mix of anger, understanding, sadness, and hope. It’s a deeply personal film, even if it sometimes feels a little weighed down by its own importance.

Jordan’s submission for the International Feature Oscar, “All That’s Left of You,” follows the Hammad family through four key moments in their history – 1948, 1978, 1988, and 2022 – each marked by political turmoil. The story begins in 1948 with the shelling of Jaffa, where Sharif (Adam Bakri) lives with his family, including his young son, Salim (Salah Aldeen Mai). As everyone around them flees, Sharif stubbornly refuses to leave his home. Eventually, he sends his wife and children to safety in Nablus, but stays behind. The film captures the heartbreaking moment Salim cries as the car carrying his mother and siblings drives away, separating him from his father.

I was completely captivated by Dabis’ film, but I think it’s best to go in not knowing what happens to Sharif in the 1948 portions. The story then jumps forward three decades, and we meet adult Salim (Saleh Bakri), now married to Hanan and living in the occupied West Bank. He’s such a kind, hopeful elementary school teacher, and unlike his father, he doesn’t express the same strong political views about Israel. But a really intense situation with his son, Noor (Sanad Alkabarete), while they’re dealing with Israeli soldiers changes everything. It profoundly affects their relationship, and it’s heartbreaking to see Noor start to understand his grandfather’s perspective.

Awards

Palestinian films and stories are often recognized with awards, but this year is particularly notable. Three films – ‘All That’s Left of You,’ ‘Palestine 36,’ and ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ – stand out as strong contenders, especially given current events.

That early experience creates lasting problems, becoming clear in the 1988 storyline when young Noor (played by Muhammad Abed Elrahman) gets caught up in a protest that turns violent. As the story begins, we learn this disaster isn’t just about Israel taking Palestinian land, but also about how the Hammad family has let fear and shame take root within themselves.

As a movie lover, I’ve been following Cherien Dabis’ work for a while, and her new film, “All That’s Left of You,” feels really personal. She grew up moving between cultures – born in Nebraska, then Ohio and Jordan – and her earlier films, like “Amreeka” and “May in the Summer,” beautifully explored what it’s like to be caught between Middle Eastern roots and American life. This time, she’s gone even deeper, drawing on her own family history and memories of visiting Palestine. It’s a poignant and tense film, and while it centers around the character of Hanan, Dabis also brilliantly focuses on the men in her family – how their identities and sense of self have been affected by generations of struggle and a longing for freedom.

It’s been over ten years since Dabis directed a feature film, but she’s since become a successful television director, working on shows like “Ramy,” “Ozark,” and “Only Murders in the Building.” However, her new film, “All That’s Left of You,” while well-made and thoughtful, sometimes feels overly serious. Dabis seems so focused on the importance of her message that she doesn’t fully explore the complex and potentially challenging questions about how children inherit—or refuse—their parents’ resentments.

Movies

I was chatting with some of the people working on these films, and I asked them what they were most excited about seeing in 2026. They were really happy to mention that directors like Nolan, Spielberg, and Gerwig all have new projects coming up, and they were also thrilled about a new Wile E. Coyote movie! It sounds like a great year for film.

When the story feels overly formal, the actors add much-needed depth and nuance. The child actors are particularly charming and innocent – especially Alkabarete, whose shift from sweet to withdrawn is heartbreaking. The adults convincingly portray weary people dealing with various emotional struggles. Each part of “All That’s Left of You” feels like a complete story on its own, but they connect and build upon each other, showing how the weight of the past affects the children who don’t fully understand the sadness that came before, but have always lived with its shadow.

The disturbing events of 1988 set up a plot twist that feels a bit forced. While Hanan’s initial sadness prepares viewers for an emotional ending in “All That’s Left of You,” the story’s turn towards a neat resolution feels overly contrived and simplifies the film’s exploration of love versus hate. However, the director’s genuine emotion shines through, even with some overly sweet moments and a sentimental musical score.

Many recent movies about Palestine understandably express anger, but “All That’s Left of You” takes a different approach, focusing on a gentle sadness and a quiet optimism. The film circles back to where it started, in Jaffa, showing characters who feel like strangers in their own homeland. Even after everything they’ve lost, the film suggests they might still be able to find something to cherish.

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2026-01-09 21:01