The producer of "Palestine 36," Osama Bawardi, confirmed that making the film was no easy task, noting that producing a Palestinian film is a major challenge due to the difficult circumstances imposed by the war and the accompanying losses and suffering.

Bawardi told Roya TV during the Toronto International Film Festival: "Our ambition is for this work to become a classic of cinema, and the film focuses on the enduring struggles of the Palestinian people."

He added that their hearts are with Gaza, describing the situation as disappointing: "Unfortunately, the world has failed Gaza, but it will rise again like a phoenix." He emphasized that despite the challenges, the film had to be made to tell the Palestinian story in a real and impactful way, pointing out that a large part of the filming had to be moved to Jordan due to war conditions.

Regarding his hopes for the film, Bawardi expressed his wish for the work to serve as a milestone for Palestinian cinema to take off, describing the film as "honorable."

Director Annemarie Jacir: Rare Archives and Living History

Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir previously stated that she used rare archival footage from the 1930s and colorized it to highlight that the struggle for Palestinian sovereignty continues to this day. She noted that the 2023 war in Gaza forced them to move part of the production to Jordan, and that the archival material helped show locations that had been destroyed and no longer exist.

During the special screening, Bawardi appeared on the red carpet wearing a Palestinian flag pin, while actor Zaid Ghazal raised his hands with the words "Stop the Genocide" written on them. The screening coincided with the 700th day since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which resulted in thousands of casualties.

Celebratory Screening with Star-Studded Attendance

"Palestine 36" was featured in the prestigious Gala screenings at the Toronto festival on Friday evening. Many of its stars attended, including Dhafer L’Abidine, Yasmine El Masri, Saleh Bakri, and Karim Dawood, adding significant Arab presence to the international cinematic event.

Historical Drama Depicting the 1936 Palestinian Revolution

Set in Palestine in 1936 during the uprising against the British Mandate and demands for independence, the film follows the character Yousef as he moves between the calm of his village and the turbulent streets of Jerusalem, seeking a future beyond the escalating unrest.

Jacir described the film as "intimate, personal, and realistic," noting that making it was the hardest adventure of her life, particularly during a year filled with bloodshed and violence.

Major International Production with Prominent Jordanian Support

"Palestine 36" is a major co-production between Palestine, the UK, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. This international collaboration reflects confidence in the director’s artistic vision and the importance of the story being told.

Jordanian support came prominently from Ruya Media Group (Michel Sayegh and Fares Sayegh), one of the main financiers, alongside international institutions such as the British Film Institute (BFI), BBC Film, Doha Film Institute, and Red Sea Fund, in addition to official Jordanian support from the Jordan Film Fund and the Royal Film Commission.

Global and Arab Stars Lead the Cast

The film features a distinguished ensemble of international and Arab stars, including Jeremy Irons, Hiam Abbas, Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri, Yasmine El Masri, and Dhafer L’Abidine, forming a complete artistic tapestry that blends talent, creativity, and the film’s humanitarian message.