“No Other Land”, a Film Review
“No Other Land” Wins Oscar for Best Documentary, Shedding Light on Life under Israelu Occupation in the West Bank.
“No Other Land,” a powerful documentary highlighting Israel’s forced displacement of a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, won the Oscar for Best Documentary on Sunday. The film provides a harrowing look at the struggles faced by Palestinians as they resist the demolition of their homes and communities.
The documentary follows activist Basel Adra, who risks arrest by Israeli authorities to document the destruction of his hometown in Masafer Yatta, a village in the West Bank. Israeli forces are demolishing the area to convert it into a military training zone. Through Adra’s lens, the film captures the devastating impact of these actions on Palestinian families, whose homes are declared illegal overnight and situated in a newly designated “military zone.”
The film also features Israeli activist and filmmaker Yuval Abraham, who collaborates with Adra to provide an unfiltered account of the ongoing demolitions. Together, they reveal the harsh realities of life under occupation, including the terror inflicted by Israeli settlers and the violent suppression of protests. The documentary does not shy away from depicting the unjustified attacks—and even murders—carried out against those who resist injustice, leaving viewers with haunting images that linger long after the film ends.
For decades, Israeli authorities have sought to forcibly displace Masafer Yatta’s roughly 1,000 Palestinian residents to establish a military “firing zone” for training exercises. “No Other Land” brings this decades-long struggle to the forefront, offering a poignant and unflinching portrayal of the human cost of occupation.
Despite its critical acclaim and success on the film festival circuit, the documentary struggled to secure a U.S. distributor, even after being selected for distribution in 24 countries. At the Oscars, it triumphed over other notable nominees, including “The Porcelain War,” “Sugar Cane,” “Black Box Diaries,” and “Soundtrack to a Coup.”
While the film vividly portrays the atrocities committed by Israeli forces and settlers, it leaves unexplored the broader context of Israeli society’s support for the subjugation of Palestinians. Nonetheless, “No Other Land” stands as a testament to the resilience of the Palestinian people and a call to action for justice and accountability.
Official Trailer:
Oscar Acceptance Speeches:
In related news...
Israel has been accused of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza following its decision to block all humanitarian aid from entering the enclave.
The move, which coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, came after Hamas refused to accept the extension of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, noting it would only accept moving to the second stage, which was supposed to guarantee the definitive end of the assault, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of remaining captives.
Palestinians in Gaza have already endured months of starvation during and after Israel’s 15-month assault, constantly worrying about where their next meal will come from amid Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Reacting to the development, Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued this statement:
We strongly condemn the Israeli government’s decision to stop the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip,using it as a weapon amidst the humanitarian catastrophe endured by the Palestinian people.
We call on the international community to stop these serious Israeli violations and to ensure the access of aid to the Gaza Strip.
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