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Palestine 36

Palestine 36 is a 2025 historical drama film written and directed by Annemarie Jacir.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Palestine 36 is a 2025 historical drama film written and directed by Annemarie Jacir. Set in Mandatory Palestine, it dramatizes the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt against British colonial rule. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada.

Premise

Palestine 36 follows a young man named Yusuf in 1936 as tensions intensify in Mandatory Palestine. The film places his personal story against the wider anti-colonial revolt and the pressures of British rule.

Production

The film was written and directed by Annemarie Jacir, who is known for Palestinian-centered historical and political dramas. Publicly available listings identify the film as a 2025 release in Arabic.

Cast

The principal cast includes Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Yasmine Al Massri, Jalal Altawil, Robert Aramayo, and Saleh Bakri. Festival and distributor materials also list additional performers such as Liam Cunningham and Jeremy Irons.

Release and reception

The film had its world premiere at TIFF in 2025 and later received theatrical releases in several territories. It was also shortlisted in Palestine’s Oscar submission process for the 98th Academy Awards.

Key facts

  • The film is set during the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt in Mandatory Palestine.
  • It was written and directed by Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir.
  • The cast includes Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Yasmine Al Massri, Jalal Altawil, Robert Aramayo, and Saleh Bakri.
  • It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025.
  • It was selected as Palestine’s submission for the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.
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Canadian context

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada, giving it a visible Canadian festival launch and exposure to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Palestine 36 about?
It is a historical drama about the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt in Mandatory Palestine, told through the experiences of Yusuf and other characters.
Who directed Palestine 36?
Annemarie Jacir wrote and directed the film.
When was Palestine 36 released?
It premiered in 2025, with theatrical releases following in late 2025 and 2026 in some markets.
What language is Palestine 36 in?
The film’s original language is Arabic, with some English dialogue in certain releases.
Was Palestine 36 submitted for the Oscars?
Yes. It was chosen as Palestine’s entry for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_36
    Supports: Title, year, director, plot premise, cast
  2. Watermelon Pictures — https://watermelonpictures.com/films/palestine-36
    Supports: Official synopsis and story setting
  3. Cinema/Chicago — https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/palestine36/
    Supports: Synopsis and historical context
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/palestine_36
    Supports: Director, writer, distributor, runtime, release dates, synopsis
  5. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oct/28/palestine-36-review-annemarie-jacir
    Supports: Release context and critical coverage
  6. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_36
    Supports: TIFF premiere, Oscar submission, production nationality
  7. Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-03-27/palestine-36-review-annemarie-jacir-jeremy-irons
    Supports: Runtime and plot context
  8. Brooklyn Academy of Music — https://www.bam.org/film/2026/palestine-36
    Supports: Cast list and synopsis