Dr. Maytha Alhassen

What I'm trying to understand here is, though, is, is it the money that distributors are worried about or is it the subject of the film itself? Are they worried it's too unsellable or too political or what?

What I'm trying to understand here is, though, is, is it the money that distributors are worried about or is it the subject of the film itself? Are they worried it's too unsellable or too political or what?

Yes, that's right. Back in October 2024. And Netflix says that that was because their three-year licensing agreement for these films expired. But you're absolutely right. That could definitely raise some eyebrows.

Yes, that's right. Back in October 2024. And Netflix says that that was because their three-year licensing agreement for these films expired. But you're absolutely right. That could definitely raise some eyebrows.

Yes, that's right. Back in October 2024. And Netflix says that that was because their three-year licensing agreement for these films expired. But you're absolutely right. That could definitely raise some eyebrows.

Okay, so we've been talking about why people wouldn't want to distribute the film, but I want to talk just a little bit about why they would. And there's a long history of films that No Other Land is actually like. It's a co-production between two Palestinian and two Israeli filmmakers.

Okay, so we've been talking about why people wouldn't want to distribute the film, but I want to talk just a little bit about why they would. And there's a long history of films that No Other Land is actually like. It's a co-production between two Palestinian and two Israeli filmmakers.

Okay, so we've been talking about why people wouldn't want to distribute the film, but I want to talk just a little bit about why they would. And there's a long history of films that No Other Land is actually like. It's a co-production between two Palestinian and two Israeli filmmakers.

And that's one way, in the past, Palestinian storytellers have been able to get their work out in the world to have Israelis be a part of the project. And one moment that really highlights why

And that's one way, in the past, Palestinian storytellers have been able to get their work out in the world to have Israelis be a part of the project. And one moment that really highlights why

And that's one way, in the past, Palestinian storytellers have been able to get their work out in the world to have Israelis be a part of the project. And one moment that really highlights why

this has perhaps been the case for so long is that when No Other Land screened in Berlin at the Berlin Film Festival last year, 2024, the German Minister of State for Culture was seen clapping for the film during a standing ovation for And there was backlash to her clapping. And then her response to that was to put out a statement saying that she was only applauding the Israeli filmmaker.

this has perhaps been the case for so long is that when No Other Land screened in Berlin at the Berlin Film Festival last year, 2024, the German Minister of State for Culture was seen clapping for the film during a standing ovation for And there was backlash to her clapping. And then her response to that was to put out a statement saying that she was only applauding the Israeli filmmaker.

this has perhaps been the case for so long is that when No Other Land screened in Berlin at the Berlin Film Festival last year, 2024, the German Minister of State for Culture was seen clapping for the film during a standing ovation for And there was backlash to her clapping. And then her response to that was to put out a statement saying that she was only applauding the Israeli filmmaker.

That's not how that works. That is famously not how applause works. She said that she was only applauding the Israelis, not the Palestinians, even though they all made the film together.

That's not how that works. That is famously not how applause works. She said that she was only applauding the Israelis, not the Palestinians, even though they all made the film together.

That's not how that works. That is famously not how applause works. She said that she was only applauding the Israelis, not the Palestinians, even though they all made the film together.

And this apparent need for Israel's co-sign on Palestinian projects was really on full display at the Oscars last week when one of the Israeli co-directors, Yuval Abraham, gave his acceptance speech immediately after the Palestinian director.

And this apparent need for Israel's co-sign on Palestinian projects was really on full display at the Oscars last week when one of the Israeli co-directors, Yuval Abraham, gave his acceptance speech immediately after the Palestinian director.

And this apparent need for Israel's co-sign on Palestinian projects was really on full display at the Oscars last week when one of the Israeli co-directors, Yuval Abraham, gave his acceptance speech immediately after the Palestinian director.