Palestine 36

Directed by Annemarie Jacir

Palestine

2025

119 mins

Synopsis

A sweeping historical epic from award-winning director Annemarie Jacir (Wajib, SFF 2017), Palestine’s official Oscar entry chronicles the 1936 Arab revolt against British rule.

Set against the 1936-1939 Arab revolt against British rule in Palestine – the longest anti-colonial uprising in the history of the British Empire – Annemarie Jacir’s award-winning drama brings an oft-forgotten chapter vividly to life. A strong ensemble, including Jeremy Irons, Hiam Abbass (Succession) and Saleh Bakri (All That’s Left of You, SFF 2025), stage this complex story on a grand scale, capturing the Palestinian resistance against the increasingly severe and imposing force of the British. Shot in Palestine and Jordan under extremely challenging circumstances, this is a film of potent contemporary resonance. Selected for Toronto, and winner, Best Film at Tokyo International Film Festival.

“This is a story of national identity and resistance with contemporary resonance, but it’s also a classic genre movie, its historical tapestry populated by a strong ensemble of screen stars as well as impressive newcomers.”

Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter

“It's a humanist film at its heart, remaining deeply rooted in the lives of its characters, their relationships with their community, their love for their people, and their enduring connection to their ancestral land.”

Marya E. Gates, RogerEbert.com

Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter

Tickets

Sun 7 June 2026, 4:10pm

State Library of NSW

Mon 8 June 2026, 4pm

Palace Norton Street - Cinema 3

Sat 13 June 2026, 6:45pm

Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1

See more, save more with a Flexipass or Youth Pass

Program Strand
Features
Year
2025
Classification
Unclassified 18+
Country
Palestine, UK, France, Denmark, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Language
In Arabic and English with English subtitles
Director
Annemarie Jacir
Producer
Ossama Bawardi
Cast
Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Yasmine Al Massri
Screenwriter
Annemarie Jacir
Cinematographer
Hélène Louvart, Sarah Blum, Tim Fleming
Editor
Tania Reddin
Genre
Award Winner, Human Rights, Politics, War, Women Directors, History, Middle East
Premiere
Australian Premiere
Company Credits
Australian Distributor: Cultural Media

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Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

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