Annemarie Jacir Unveils Powerful First Trailer for Palestine 36, Starring Jeremy Irons and Hiam Abbass

Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir has returned with a sweeping new historical drama, Palestine 36, and Screen International has just debuted the powerful first trailer. Featuring a stunning ensemble cast that includes Jeremy Irons, Hiam Abbass, Saleh Bakri, Robert Aramayo, and Yumna Marwan, the film explores the early 20th-century upheaval in Palestine with striking authenticity and emotional weight. While the official release date is still under wraps, the trailer already promises a deeply resonant and visually rich experience.

 

Set against the backdrop of British colonial rule, the film uses rare archival footage to immerse audiences in a transformative era of Jerusalem’s history. It paints a vivid picture of a city in flux — from the collapse of the Ottoman Empire to the influx of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazism, and the British administration’s strained attempts to maintain control. At the story’s core is Yusuf (Karim Daoud Anaya), who is torn between his rural village roots and the chaotic, fast-modernizing city. Afra (Wardi Eilabouni), aided by her wise grandmother (Hiam Abbass), attempts to hold on to cultural identity in a rapidly changing world.

 

Meanwhile, Saleh Bakri portrays a weary port worker drawn into the orbit of growing rebellion, a reflection of how economic hardship and political frustration intertwine. Jeremy Irons, as a senior British official, brings gravitas to a role symbolizing the declining reach and understanding of imperial power in the region. These intersecting narratives offer a nuanced, human-focused lens through which Jacir explores the complexities of identity, colonialism, resistance, and belonging.

 

With its evocative cinematography, archival authenticity, and powerhouse performances, Palestine 36 is poised to be one of the year’s most important international films. Known for her previous works like Wajib and Salt of this Sea, Jacir once again demonstrates her unique ability to fuse the political with the personal. As anticipation builds, this film is expected to make waves on the festival circuit — and likely far beyond.

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