A joint production between Palestine and the Netherlands, the film is written, directed and edited by Sabrine Khoury.
Sabrine Khoury’s short experimental documentary The Miracle of Life is set to make its world premiere at the eighth Beirut International Women Film Festival, competing in the Short Experimental category from April 27 to May 3. This marks the film’s debut on the international festival circuit.
The film intimately chronicles the emotional and physical experiences of a Palestinian woman living in the Netherlands as she prepares for motherhood. Through personal reflections, the protagonist navigates anxiety, bodily transformation and a profound identity crisis, all while pushing back against societal expectations of pregnancy and motherhood. Set during the Gaza War, the woman’s internal turmoil is deepened by the external conflict, giving voice to a multi-layered narrative of personal and political significance.
Khoury, who both wrote and directed the film, revealed that her own pregnancy in September 2023 inspired the work. “It was a planned pregnancy, and I was happy and excited about this new journey; however, that joy was overshadowed by pain and questions,” she shared. “This film is born from these intense and conflicting emotions. It seeks to explore the complex realities of pregnancy and motherhood against the backdrop of the war in Gaza while questioning the legitimacy of my own feelings. I truly hope to honour the resilience and strength of women navigating these profound experiences.”
A joint Palestinian-Dutch production, The Miracle of Life was produced by Nawl Productions and features cinematography by Rashed Rashed, music by Maen El Ghoul, and sound design by Sami Merib. Khoury also served as editor. MAD World is handling worldwide sales, while MAD Distribution oversees its release in the Arab region.
Born in Canada, Khoury later returned to her hometown of Nazareth, Palestine, and currently resides in the Netherlands, where she continues her work as a filmmaker and producer.
