Movies

Photojournalist Fatma Hassona, Subject of an Upcoming Documentary, Killed in Gaza

BBG News

On Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza resulted in the death of a Palestinian photographer who was due to be showcased in a film premiering at Cannes, France, in May.

25-year-old photojournalist Fatma Hassona, renowned for capturing images of civilians affected by Israeli military operations, passed away in her home, as well as several of her loved ones. This tragic news was shared by the film’s director, Sepideh Farsi, with Deadline.

Recently, Hassona got engaged, and Farsi had conversed with her and her family not long ago. She shared, “One of her sisters is carrying a child.” Two days prior, during a video chat, she displayed her baby bump. It’s truly heart-wrenching and disheartening.

Tragically, Hassona met her end shortly following the announcement that her movie, titled “Put Your Soul On Your Hand and Walk“, had been chosen for the ACID section of the Cannes Film Festival. This filmmaker, known for works like “Siren” and “Red Rose“, had been in the process of planning Hassona’s journey to the festival. Hassona expressed her anxiety about returning to Gaza promptly after the eventual festival. (Farsi was the name of the filmmaker.)

The 110-minute documentary titled “Walk with Your Heart” chronicles a series of interactions lasting nearly a year, which unfolded between individuals speaking Farsi and Hassona, beginning from October 7, 2023, following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

This movie serves as a glimpse into Palestine, provided by an extraordinary meeting with Fatem. It reveals ongoing conflicts, depicting the suffering of the Palestinian people,” translates the film’s description on ACID’s website. “Fatem has given me sight in Gaza, while I serve as her link to the world beyond.

Farsi told Deadline that she wondered if her film made Hassona a target.

Since the conflict started over a year ago, Hassona becomes the latest Palestinian journalist to lose her life. In reaction to the latest airstrikes, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, stated, “Palestinian journalists have been performing courageous work, paying a significant cost; 170 have tragically lost their lives so far.” The UN estimates that 209 journalists have been killed in Gaza either while working or at home.

During the Cannes Film Festival last year, attendees chose to use the red carpet as a platform for expressing their views on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Actress Leila Bekhti was snapped wearing a pin sporting the hues of the Palestinian flag while heading to a screening of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga“. Laura Blajman-Kadar, a survivor of the October 7th massacre, donned a sash that read “Bring Them Home” over a yellow dress adorned with images of hostages who had been taken by Hamas.

On Thursday, ACID, the group responsible for the independent film festival showcasing “Put Your Soul On Your Hand and Walk”, shared reflections on their encounter with Hassona during the selection process. They described her as a woman whose smile was as captivating as her determination: she documented Gaza, distributed food amidst bombings, sorrow, and famine. Following Hassona’s passing, they emphasized that it is crucial for this documentary to be seen by a wider audience, asserting, “This film stands apart from any we will distribute, champion, and exhibit, with our journey beginning at Cannes.

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2025-04-18 01:06

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