‘Palestine ’36’ presents a complex, underseen history with the sweep of an old-school epic

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As a film buff, I’m always fascinated by stories rooted in history, and Annemarie Jacir’s “Palestine ’36” really delivers. It feels like this film was built on a long history of struggle, and it’s clear that the spirit of the 1936-1939 Arab Revolt against British rule still echoes today. Jacir doesn’t just give us a simple story of rebellion; she presents a complex and nuanced look at the uprising, and it really resonated with me because it feels so relevant to what’s happening in the world now.

While Jacir’s latest film is ambitious with its many storylines, it could benefit from a little more background information and less reliance on simply explaining everything to the audience – a common issue with large ensemble stories. However, the film’s strength lies in its depiction of a rarely seen location with incredible detail and scope, reminiscent of classic biblical epics. It feels like a forgotten history is coming to life, vibrant and meaningful after years of being hidden.

Awards

Palestinian films and stories are often recognized with awards. This year, three particularly stand out – ‘All That’s Left of You,’ ‘Palestine 36,’ and ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ – and their nominations come at a significant time.

The film opens with striking historical newsreel footage, then introduces the central characters and storylines. We meet Yusuf, a determined young man from a village, played by newcomer Karim Daoud Anaya, who travels between the vibrant city of Jerusalem and his quiet homeland. In Jerusalem, he works for a successful Palestinian businessman (Dhafer L’Abidine) and his wife, a journalist (Yasmine Al Massri). Back home, villagers constantly face harassment from British forces. Whether it’s the brutal Captain Wingate (Robert Aramayo) aggressively searching for rebels and confining locals, or seemingly polite officials enacting policies that favor Jewish settlers over long-time farmers, life is fraught with tension.

I was completely drawn into the story as tensions escalated from a labor strike to full-blown revolt. It was fascinating to watch Jacir navigate the changing allegiances of her characters, both those from humble backgrounds and the more privileged. The British, particularly the High Commissioner Wauchope – brilliantly played by Jeremy Irons, I must say – are clearly portrayed as the antagonists, a colonial power that quickly resorts to violence against Palestinians who dared to voice their opinions. However, I did find the complete absence of Jewish characters a bit jarring, especially considering the growing Jewish community at the time. We only catch a distant glimpse of a kibbutz, and it feels like a deliberate sidestepping of a crucial part of the historical context.

While “Palestine ’36” eventually loses some focus with its many characters, it would have benefited from more time to fully develop a compelling story of resistance. Still, it’s better to have this film, a rare look at these locations, than not to have it at all. Though it’s more direct and less nuanced than a detailed novel, the film’s strong emotions and core message are powerful and deserve to encourage similar stories in the future.

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2026-03-27 13:32