Annemarie Jacir Discusses 'Palestine 36' Linking Past and Present Struggles and Finding Support from U.S. Fans: 'Old-School Progressives'

Annemarie Jacirs drama Palestine 36 revisits the overlooked 1936 Palestinian uprising against British rule, marking the directors most ambitious exploration of Palestinian identity to date. The film centers on Yusuf, a young man swept into political turmoil as tensions escalate in Jerusalem and his village during British crackdowns triggered by the arrival of Jewish refugees fleeing European antisemitism.

The ensemble cast includes Jeremy Irons as a British commissioner, Hiam Abbas, Liam Cunningham, and Saleh Bakri. The production, initially set to begin in Bethlehem, was halted by the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 and later resumed in Jordan before returning to Palestine. Now representing Palestine in the Oscars international feature race, the film premieres in the Middle East at the Red Sea Film Festival following screenings in Toronto and Marrakech. A U.S. release is slated for early 2026, supported by discussions featuring Mark Ruffalo, Diego Luna, Susan Sarandon, Riz Ahmed, Ava DuVernay, Mira Nair, Julie Delpy, and Ramy Youssef.

Speaking about her research, Jacir explains that Khuloud, the bold journalist in the film, was inspired by several real women across Palestine, Lebanon, and Egypt who wrote under male aliases to avoid social stigma and government censorship. Khulouds husband Amir, a wealthy newspaper editor tied to a British-supported Muslim Association, reflects Jacirs findings about early propaganda efforts, including Arabic-language articles placed by a Zionist Commission to influence local opinion.

Jacir notes that internal divisions portrayed in the film echo current realities. She stresses that the conflict has long been manipulated into appearing religious, even though its roots are political, with divide-and-conquer strategies historically used to fragment Palestinian communities, including efforts to separate the Druze population.

Her historical sources include works by Rashid Khalidi, Tom Segev, Ilan Papp, Charles Anderson, and Avi Shlaim. Several historians have already viewed the film and shared positive reactions, a response Jacir values deeply.

The director describes the surreal experience of shooting a film about a violent era while witnessing even more devastating events unfold in real time. She chose to incorporate archival footage of Jewish refugees escaping European persecution to highlight the diverse communities that have long lived in Palestine and to acknowledge those who sought safety there before being drawn into broader political agendas.

After a weeklong preview in U.S. theaters, Jacir reflects on the surprising enthusiasm of young American viewers and the absence of hostility she once faced during screenings. She sees signs of shifting attitudes, noting that despite the tense climate, audiences appear more receptive and open than in the past.

Author: Olivia Parker