Hiam Abbass on Duty, Art, and Palestinian History

At the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam, actress Hiam Abbass spoke about her roles in 'Palestine 36' and 'The Arab'. Growing up Palestinian, Abbass found acting to be a crucial space for freedom against inherited traditions and societal expectations. She explained that her recent work, particularly 'Palestine 36,' is driven by a sense of duty to preserve Palestinian history against constant threats of erasure.

The production of 'Palestine 36' encountered significant obstacles. Originally scheduled to begin filming on October 14, 2023, the shoot was postponed due to the events of October 7. The delay, coupled with escalating violence and security concerns in the West Bank, made filming on location impossible, even impacting the constructed set which became a target. Ultimately, the production was split, with part of it relocating to Jordan.

Abbass also shared her perspective on method acting, noting she is not a method actor and finds it challenging to work with those who are. She prioritizes separating herself from her characters post-filming. Additionally, she discussed her own transition to directing, stemming from a "necessity" to express her views as a woman and mother, inspired by a surge of ideas.

In a conversation moderated by Kristy Matheson, Abbass and Italian actress Valeria Golino explored their international careers and character development. Golino touched upon the challenges of being a woman in the industry, while Abbass recounted early experiences with performance and her eventual choice to pursue photography and theater before film acting.