The West Bank-based film ‘No Other Land’ has won the 2024 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. Directed by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, the film triumphed over competitors like ‘Black Box Diaries’, ‘Porcelain War’, and ‘Sugarcane’. Premiering at the Berlin Film Festival in 2023, where it won the Berlinale Documentary Award, ‘No Other Land’ chronicles the forced displacement of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, a region in the occupied West Bank targeted by Israeli forces.
During their acceptance speech, the filmmakers received a standing ovation as they addressed the Academy. Co-director Basel Adra, who recently became a father, expressed hope that his daughter’s life would not mirror his own—marked by fear of violence, home demolitions, and forced displacement. He described the film as a reflection of the “harsh reality” endured by Palestinians and called on the world to take action to end injustice and ethnic cleansing.
Co-director Yuval Abraham also emphasized the collaborative nature of the film, stating, “We made this film together because together our voices are stronger.” He highlighted the intertwined fates of Israelis and Palestinians, criticizing the unequal legal systems they live under. Abraham also called out US foreign policy for obstructing a path to peace, urging a political solution based on equality and national rights for both peoples.
The Challenges in US Distribution and Critical Acclaim
Despite its critical acclaim, ‘No Other Land’ struggled to secure distribution in the US and was ultimately self-distributed. The film’s co-directors believe this was due to political reasons. Yuval Abraham told ‘Deadline’, “We decided not to wait on the theatrical release because the demand in the United States is now so high for the film.” The documentary is now being shown in nearly 100 theaters independently, with screenings often sold out.
In addition, the Guardian’s Adrian Horton praised the film in a five-star review, calling it “straightforward, un-sensationalized, and completely infuriating.”
Context of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The film’s release comes amid escalating violence in the region. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have killed at least 48,200 Palestinians and forcibly displaced 2 million survivors. ‘No Other Land’ sheds light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict.
The directors’ Oscar speech resonated with audiences worldwide, as they called for an end to ethnic supremacy and a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live freely and safely.
