‘Succession’ Star Hiam Abbas on Palestine, Censorship, and 90 Years of Resistance

Quick Overview

Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir discusses the challenges of creating her Oscar-nominated film "It Must Be Heaven," which explores the ongoing Palestinian struggle and the historical context of the British Mandate and the 1936 revolt, emphasizing the importance of telling Palestinian stories to counter dominant narratives and the emotional toll of confronting inherited trauma.

Key Points: The film discussed is "It Must Be Heaven," Palestine's official submission to the Oscars, starring Palestinian actor Hiam Abbass and co-starring Liam Cunningham. Jacir notes that the Palestinian struggle, mass displacement, and occupation did not start in 1948 but have roots extending back to the British Mandate period (1921-1939), including the 1936 Great Revolt. The film's core theme is the inherited trauma of Palestinians, where the ongoing suffering (like that in Gaza) resonates with historical events, making the story feel constantly current. Jacir highlights that the film was shot in various locations, including Bethlehem and Calquilya, but filming was interrupted when the crew and actors, including the lead, had to evacuate due to events following October 7th. Jacir points out a significant disconnect in how the UK teaches history, omitting the British role in the Palestinian experience, such as the collective punishment and military occupation practices. The director hopes the film serves as a way for audiences to connect emotionally with Palestinian stories and understand the depth of their struggle beyond political talking points.

Context: The video features an interview with Palestinian writer/director Annemarie Jacir, hosted by Mehdi Hasan, discussing her film "It Must Be Heaven," which was Palestine's official submission for the Academy Awards. The conversation focuses on the film's themes of historical struggle, displacement, and the difficulty of telling Palestinian stories amidst ongoing conflict, referencing the impact of the British Mandate era (1921-1939) and the 1936 Great Revolt.