How To Academy Podcast Award-Winning Filmmaker Annemarie Jacir — On the Making of Palestine 36
Oct 21, 2025
Annemarie Jacir, an Oscar-nominated Palestinian filmmaker and a trailblazer in Arab cinema, discusses her latest film, Palestine 36. The film, set during the 1936 Arab Revolt, highlights the personal stories of resilience against colonial rule. Annemarie shares the ten-year journey of bringing this ambitious project to life, including overcoming funding challenges and filming amidst crisis. She explains why Palestinian storytelling is crucial, explores complex character portrayals, and emphasizes the importance of the land in the film's narrative.
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1936 As A Foundational Moment
- Palestine 36 frames the 1936 Arab Revolt as a pivotal, formative moment that shapes the present.
- Annemarie Jacir uses intimate, human stories within an epic ensemble to connect past events to today.
A Decade To Finance The Film
- Financing took six years and relied heavily on co-productions and private Palestinian cultural investors.
- Jacir describes fundraising as community-driven support because Palestine lacks state film institutions.
Building A Lost Village
- Prep included restoring a village, planting period crops, making costumes and building props like a tank.
- October 7th halted production and forced evacuation, delaying the shoot significantly.