The territorial conflict between Palestine and Israel has a complex and contentious history, encompassing deeply rooted two-sided narratives that have shaped polarized perceptions of the conflict over time. Efforts to bring the narrative of the Palestinian catastrophe, the Nakba, to light through the medium of film have faced significant challenges. The 2021 Palestinian film, "Farha," directed by Darin Sallam, exemplifies such struggles, facing backlash from Israeli government, including campaigns to cancel Netflix subscriptions and threats of withdrawing state funding. This study aims to investigate and unravel the silenced narratives of the Palestinians living in the occupied territories. By employing narrative and semiotic analysis, and borrowing Saussure's dyadic model, this study juxtaposes actual events with the film’s depiction. Additionally, it analyzes selected footage from the film and uses news outlets as sources for comparison. This study uncovers three insights: Firstly, despite the Israeli government’s denying the film's historical accuracy, Farha's life mirrors the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinians living in the occupied territories. Secondly, the characters portrayed in "Farha" can be traced back to the ongoing Nakba and resonate with real-life events. Lastly, the harsh reaction to the film signifies efforts by the Israeli state to suppress certain narratives. “Farha” becomes difficult to ignore when examining certain pivotal scenes and characters in the film, ultimately demonstrating the potency of cinema as a medium to bring forth suppressed narratives and explore the complexities of historical truth.

Authors:
Taufik Hidayah, Hiroshima University, Japan

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Posted by Clive Staples Lewis

Last updated: 2023-02-23 23:45:00

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