The story highlights the 1936–1939 Great Strike, portraying life, love, and resistance during the British Mandate.
Annemarie Jacir’s historical drama Palestine 36, which revisits the 1930s Palestinian uprising against British colonial rule and Zionism, has begun screening in cinemas across the UAE from January 29, 2026. The film had its regional premiere at the Sharjah Art Foundation on January 24.
The film has already garnered major international recognition, winning Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival and being selected as Palestine’s submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
Set against the 1936 Arab Revolt, Palestine 36 tells the story of Yusuf, a young man caught between his agrarian roots and the politically charged landscape of Jerusalem. The narrative unfolds during a critical period of Mandate Palestine, shaped by British rule, rising Jewish immigration from fascist Europe, and Palestinian demands for independence—developments that would influence the region’s future and signal a key shift for the British Empire.
The film is an extensive international co-production involving partners from Palestine, the UK, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Its cast brings together a diverse ensemble that includes Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri, Yasmine Al-Massri, Jeremy Irons, Dhafer L’Abidine, Billy Howle, Game of Thrones actors Liam Cunningham and Robert Aramayo, Syrian actor Jalal Altawil, and newcomers Yafa Bakri and Karim Daoud Anaya.
Jacir described Palestine 36 as the most demanding project of her career, noting that it was created “with so many collective hands and hearts” during “a year of blood, violence, and death.” The film is produced by Ossama Bawardi, with a team of co-producers across multiple countries. It was made through Philistine Films, Autonomous, Corniche Media, MK Productions and Snowglobe, with cinematography by Hélène Louvart and music by Ben Frost. MAD Distribution is handling its Arab world release.
