Palestinian Film Festival Day 2: Maysaloun Hamoud’s In Between (2-3 pts)

On October 11th, I attended a screening and discussion of Maysaloun Hamoud’s In Between (2016), moderated by Dr. Rebecca Kumar, and students from her Cinema Literacies class. We began with a discussion of the major themes in Palestinian cinema, as well as a conversation about the distinct waves that have defined Palestinian filmmaking throughout the decades. This film was a beautiful, yet heartbreaking, depiction of rebellious feminism and womanhood in the face of colonial occupation. It follows three Palestinian women who are Israeli citizens as they navigate sexuality, dating, work, and marriage in an oppressive patriarchy. And though the film does not take place on the Gaza strip, the occupation still lingers at the corners of the film, vignetting their experiences and lives. In Between tells an often untold story, highlighting the experiences of those who, while they may not be physically impacted by the violence in Gaza, must still carry it with them. The women face the patriarchy and the occupation as almost a two-headed monster, and the film subtly acknowledges the ways in which Israel’s stifling colonial influence heightens the women’s patriarchal oppression. Interestingly, the film is partially funded by Israeli sources, which begs questions of how truly critical of the Israeli regime Hamoud is allowed to be. In this way, the film itself almost mirrors the plight of its protagonists. As they must stifle and silence themselves to exist safely in the country of their oppressor, so must the film avoid outright condemnation of Israeli actions. And as they subtly resist the occupation and the patriarchy through radical self expression, joy, and determination, the film too subtly resists dominant Israeli narratives. Finally, we discussed the importance of preserving and appreciating Palestinian art. Israel, as a colonial influence, has intentionally targeted and destroyed Palestinian art in an attempt to dismantle and erase Palestinian culture. And in watching, remembering, and recognizing the stories of the Palestinian people as told through song, dance, writing, film, and other visual art forms, we too can be involved in the resistance.

- Alexandra Gordon