What Happened to This Photojournalist in Gaza?
Quick Overview
Award-winning Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi's new film, "Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk," released this week, chronicles the 2023 Gaza genocide and the filmmaker's personal experiences as a teenager in Iran.
Key Points: Sepideh Farsi's new film, "Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk," released this week, focuses on the 2023 Gaza genocide. The film features photojournalist Fatma Hassona from Gaza, whose family was killed in an Israeli attack. Farsi was unable to enter Gaza and instead filmed refugees in Cairo, where she met Hassona. The film highlights the resilience and humanity of those affected by conflict, drawing parallels to Farsi's own experiences as a teenager. Farsi's personal connection to Iran and her activism for human rights and freedom inform the film's perspective. The documentary has been recognized at film festivals, including ACID Cannes 2025 and the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025. Farsi emphasizes the importance of providing an unmediated voice to Palestinians and documenting the harsh realities of their lives.
Context: This video introduces "Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk," a film by Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi that delves into the realities of the 2023 Gaza genocide. The film is inspired by Farsi's own experiences and her desire to amplify the voices of those directly affected by conflict. It focuses on the story of Fatma Hassona, a photojournalist from Gaza, whose resilience and experiences form a significant part of the narrative.
Detailed Analysis
The film "Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk" by Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi, released this week, offers a stark portrayal of the 2023 Gaza genocide and personal reflections on the filmmaker's past experiences. Farsi, who was in Iran as a teenager during a conflict, was inspired to make this film after witnessing the broader impact of war and displacement. The documentary features the story of Fatma Hassona, a 25-year-old photojournalist from Gaza, whose life and work are deeply affected by the ongoing conflict. Farsi planned to travel to Cairo to cross into Rafah and film Palestinian refugees, but was unable to due to blocked roads. Instead, she began filming refugees arriving from Gaza, through whom she met Fatma. The film highlights the resilience and humanity of those affected by the conflict, contrasting their personal stories with the broader geopolitical context. Farsi's personal connection to Iran and her experiences as a teenager during a period of conflict inform her perspective on the current situation. The film itself has garnered recognition, being selected for festivals like ACID Cannes 2025 and Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025. The narrative emphasizes the struggle for access and the risks involved in documenting such events, as well as the profound personal impact on individuals like Fatma and her family, who were tragically killed in an attack. The film ultimately serves as a testament to the human spirit amidst devastation and the critical role of journalism in bearing witness.