“No Other Land” is a must-see—for both its gripping story and its bold vision
New York, N.Y. — In a world often divided by conflict, No Other Land emerges as a beacon of hope, resilience, and human connection.
This 2024 documentary, directed by a Palestinian-Israeli collective—Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor—marks an extraordinary debut that has captivated audiences and critics alike.
A co-production between Palestine and Norway, the film offers an unflinching yet deeply human look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, earning accolades at prestigious festivals, including the Panorama Audience Award for Best Documentary Film and the Berlinale Documentary Film Award at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival.
Its crowning achievement came at the 97th Academy Awards, where it clinched Best Documentary Feature Film—a testament to its universal resonance.
No Other Land centers on Basel Adra, a young Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank.
Where Israeli soldiers demolish homes and displace families
For years, Adra has documented the systematic destruction of his homeland, where Israeli soldiers demolish homes and displace families under a court order designating the area as a military firing zone.
Armed with a camera, Adra captures the slow erasure of his community, turning his lens into a tool of resistance. What sets this story apart is the unexpected friendship he forms with Yuval Abraham, a Jewish Israeli journalist.
Together, they navigate the stark disparities between their lives—Adra enduring constant oppression and violence, Abraham living with the freedoms of Israeli citizenship.
Their bond, fragile yet profound, becomes the heartbeat of the film, offering a rare glimpse of solidarity amid division.
The film’s origins are as compelling as its narrative
In a Variety interview at Berlinale, Adra and Abraham shared how their collaboration began five years ago.
Abraham, a journalist, and Szor, his Israeli colleague, first came to Masafer Yatta to report on the region. There, they met Audra, a local activist, and a partnership blossomed.
“We became friends but also activists together, working on articles about the area,” Adra explained. The idea for No Other Land soon followed, born from a shared desire to amplify the voices of those facing displacement.
Alongside co-directors Ballal, a Palestinian, and Szor, they crafted a film that transcends traditional documentary storytelling, blending raw footage with an intimate portrayal of their evolving relationships.
Visually and emotionally, No Other Land is a triumph
The cinematography—often handheld and unpolished—immerses viewers in the immediacy of Masafer Yatta’s struggles.
Scenes of bulldozers tearing through homes are juxtaposed with quiet moments of Adra and Abraham strategizing or reflecting, their conversations revealing both the weight of their mission and the strength of their connection.
The film doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of occupation, yet it avoids despair, instead spotlighting the power of resistance and empathy.
The directors’ decision to let the story unfold organically, without heavy narration, trusts the audience to feel the stakes—and it pays off.
Critics and audiences have lauded No Other Land for its bravery and nuance
Its premiere at Berlinale in February 2024, sparked standing ovations, with attendees praising its ability to humanize a complex conflict.
The Panorama Audience Award and Berlinale Documentary Film Award underscored its impact, while the Oscar win cemented its place as a landmark in documentary filmmaking.
Reviewers have called it “a masterclass in collaborative storytelling” and “a poignant reminder of cinema’s power to bridge divides.”
The film’s success lies not just in its awards but in its ability to provoke thought and inspire action, making it a vital contribution to the global conversation on justice and coexistence.
For the directors, No Other Land is more than a film—it’s an act of defiance. As a Palestinian-Israeli collective, they’ve created a work that challenges narratives of enmity, proving that shared humanity can thrive even in the toughest circumstances.
The film’s message is clear: resistance is not just about survival but about building something better, together.
As Adra put it, “Creating this movie was our way of fighting back.” That fight has now reached screens worldwide, leaving an indelible mark.
No Other Land is a must-see—not only for its gripping story but for its bold vision of what’s possible when people unite across divides.
It’s a documentary that doesn’t just document; it dares to dream. In a year of remarkable cinema, this film stands out as a powerful, positive force—one that lingers long after the credits roll.
No Other Land: Stirring Documentary of Resistance, Unlikely Friendship (March 5, 2025)
#NoOtherLand #Palestine #Israel #Documentary #Activism #Friendship
#Resistance #Justice #OscarWinner #Berlinale #CinemaForChange
Discover more from The Stewardship Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
