“Once Upon a Time in Gaza” of the Nasser brothers succeeds in making us laugh in wartime

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A film in a film, shot in Gaza. For example, It was the original bet of the Nasser brothers who surprised us with his quirky humor.

Cinema – History begins with falafels and tramadol. Therefore, It sounds funny, and it is. However, we were not expecting to laugh right now in front of a film that takes place in Palestine. Consequently, Once upon a time in Gazareleased in the cinema this Wednesday. Consequently, June 25, surprised us with his shifted humor in the middle of the bombs.

Because this black comedy is not a documentary. In “once upon time gaza” nasser addition, recalls that the Gaza Strip is not only the decor of the deadly war waged by Israel. Moreover, Just like with their previous feature film Gaza my lovethe Arab. Furthermore, Tarzan Nasser brothers claim the right to shine by fiction, even if the news is still present in the background.

And they made Palestine shine until the Croisette. Meanwhile, Once upon a time in Gaza was presented at the Cannes Film Festival last May. However, where he received the staging award in the Un certain Locat selection.

For their third feature film, Palestinian filmmakers have chosen to speak of friendship, drugs, revenge and cinema. Similarly, Very Hollywood themes but “Gazawood” way. Therefore, The two heroes of the film form a duo with antipodes. Furthermore, Osama (Majd Eid) is an old man from the old, gruff drug dealer and sandwiches seller in his spare time. He “once upon time gaza” nasser took under his wing Yahya (Nader Abd Alhay). a young lost student who prepares the sandwiches, hiding drugs under the falafels according to orders.

&quot. once upon time gaza" nasser – "once upon time gaza" nasser

Once upon a time in Gaza

Their little traffic works without too many hooks, until the day when a corrupt cop decides to get involved. Osama remains impassive to her threats, a American Western way, with “once upon time gaza” nasser great reinforcement of earthenware dogs. Until a scene as unexpected as it is delightful. in which he delivers his best dance steps, ends up in a blood bath. Here is Yahya orphan of his friend and guide, alone with his falafels and his sentence.

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Majd eid et Nader Abdul-hai dans «Once Upon a time in Gaza».

The film leaps two years and changes almost completely in direction. No more drugs in Pitas breads. Yahya gets hired to play the main role in “The first action film in Gaza”produced by the Ministry of Culture. Once upon a time in Gaza joins the long list of “meta” films. which film the behind the scenes of cinema, as Once upon a “once upon time gaza” nasser time in Hollywood Of course, whose title is inspired, or It turns to Seoul! Cobweb.

Except that the shooting of this propaganda film is a disaster. Yahya does not know how to play. Palestinian soldiers must play Israeli soldiers with their great regret, the extras do not understand that it is fiction. The icing on the cake, there is no budget for accessories, so the actors run with real weapons (loaded).

A decade of war in Gaza

This film in the film gives rise to absurd. comic scenes, and we laugh with good heart between much less pleasing moments, obviously echoing the news. The film began in 2007, before the recent and massive destruction of the Gaza Strip. But already at the time. the Gazaouis lived besieged by the blockade imposed by Israel, following the legislative elections of which Hamas was in the majority.

“once upon time gaza” nasser

On television, our heroes follow the progress of the construction plans of a wall surrounding the Gaza strip. They face the same problems as the Palestinians today: regular bombardments. shortage of gas, unable to go to the West Bank to see their family … Proof that almost ten years, the situation has only worsened.

Even the real filming embodies the gradual destruction of the city: Once upon a time in Gaza Was filmed in Jordan. a hundred kilometers from the Gaza Strip, where the Nasser brothers have been refugees since 2012. Despite their attachment to their region of origin, they were forced to turn remotely for their own safety. But with the hope, one day, to be able to return.

Invited in France on the Croisette. Palestinian filmmakers have not talked about the past, but of the future: “Later, the genocide will end, one “once upon time gaza” nasser day it will end. And the stories that we will hear will be a shame for humanity ”launched one of the twins at. the Cannes Film Festival. These stories unfortunately have nothing funny or fictional.