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Palestine Documentary Fights Erasure
6 Aug
Summary
- Documentary follows Afro-Palestinian Bedouin family facing eviction.
- Film highlights discrimination and heritage preservation struggles.
- Odd Slice Films acquired worldwide distribution rights.
The documentary 'Concrete Land,' directed by Asmahan Bkerat, is set to premiere at the Locarno Film Festival. It chronicles the Najar family, one of the last Afro-Palestinian Bedouin families residing on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan. Their ancestral agricultural land is being encroached upon by luxury developments, forcing the family to confront eviction and the potential loss of their traditional lifestyle.
Eight years in the making, the film captures the family's fight to maintain their identity amidst these pressures. It also focuses on 10-year-old Eman Najar, who experiences discrimination at school and yearns for a future where she does not have to abandon her heritage. The film received support from numerous international partners, including the IDFA Bertha Fund and Sundance Documentary Fund.
Odd Slice Films has acquired the worldwide rights to 'Concrete Land.' Founder Martina Droandi stated that the film powerfully reminds audiences that urban development can lead to the erasure of people's histories. The documentary aims to honor the stories and existence of the Najar family, preserving their connection to the land.
