The documentary No Other Land has won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. This historic achievement marks the first time a film about Palestine has received an Award.
The documentary highlights Palestinian resistance against Israel’s demolition of their homes. Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers worked together to bring this project to life.
No Other Land competed against strong nominees, including Porcelain War, Sugarcane, Black Box Diaries, and Soundtrack to a Coup d’État.
Despite the competition, the film won due to its powerful storytelling and emotional depth. The documentary was filmed between 2019 and 2023. It follows Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra.
He risked his safety by documenting the destruction of his hometown, Masafer Yatta. This village, located on the southern edge of the occupied West Bank, faces systematic demolitions. The Israeli army aims to turn the area into a military training zone.
During his journey, Adra formed a friendship with Jewish-Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham. Together, they brought the harsh reality of Palestinian life under occupation to the world’s attention. While accepting the Oscar, both filmmakers gave emotional speeches.
They expressed their determination to continue exposing Israeli war crimes. Adra spoke about his personal experiences.
He shared, “About two months ago, I became a father, and my hope for my daughter is that she will not have to live the same life I’m living now, always fearing settlers, violence, home demolitions, and forced displacement, just as my community endures daily under Israeli occupation.”
He also urged the international community to take action against Israel’s ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Meanwhile, Abraham highlighted the unity between Palestinian and Israeli voices.
He stated, “We see each other, the atrocious destruction of Gaza and its people, which must end. The Israeli hostages, brutally taken in the crime of October 7, who must be freed.”
Abraham also criticized the US for supporting Israel’s military operations. He stressed that a just resolution should ensure equal rights for both Palestinians and Israelis. He called for political efforts that reject ethnic supremacy and support national rights for both peoples.
Despite challenges, the filmmakers made the documentary eligible for the Oscars. Finding a distributor in the US was difficult. However, they secured a one-week theatrical screening at Lincoln Center, which met the Academy Awards’ qualification criteria.
Before winning the Oscar, No Other Land had already received significant recognition. It won the Audience Award and the Documentary Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2024.
It also received the Best Non-Fiction Film award from the New York Film Critics Circle. The Oscar win cements No Other Land as a significant documentary. It sheds light on Palestinians’ struggles and brings global attention to the crisis in the occupied territories.