A new documentary spearheaded by a team of celebrity activists is seeking to reshape the understanding of Palestinian identity, sharing personal narratives of a nation enduring adversity.
The documentary “Walled Off” derives its name from a hotel established by the enigmatic British street artist Banksy, located in the sacred city of Bethlehem. The hotel, positioned near Israel’s formidable separation wall traversing the occupied West Bank, claims the “worst view in the world.”
Banksy’s satirical portrayals of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the hotel adorn the walls. A museum within the establishment seeks to educate visitors about the separation wall and provides historical insight into the Israeli-Palestinian struggle.
This effective use of art to tell stories of a community striving for liberty inspired this star-studded team to create the documentary.
Film director and producer Vin Arfuso collaborated with model and musician Anwar Hadid, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, and Kweku Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, to present a personal account of life under Israeli occupation.
Waters, a longtime advocate for Palestinian rights, has sometimes courted controversy, with some critics alleging antisemitism. However, he refutes this, emphasizing his criticism is directed toward the Israeli government, not the Jewish community.
The film intertwines scenes from the hotel with historical footage of the protracted conflict, highlighting the media’s misrepresented events, the filmmakers argue.
Arfuso and Hadid, both of Palestinian descent, advocate for the Palestinian cause through the medium of art and film, which they believe simplifies the task of expressing the difficulties of living under occupation.
The film’s inspiration emerged when Arfuso and Hadid visited the West Bank in 2019. The duo formed a strong connection over their shared Palestinian heritage and experiences of growing up as Palestinians in the United States.
Arfuso’s ultimate objective as a filmmaker is to diminish the discomfort associated with the term “Palestinian.” The paramount task for him and Hadid was to humanize Palestinians, to present them as regular individuals who are neither victims nor terrorists.
Both filmmakers embody this group of Palestinians who’ve gained prominence in the U.S., not as “victims” or “terrorists.” Their focus is to represent Palestinians’ authentic lives, just like comedian Mo Amer, Grammy award-winning rapper DJ Khaled, and Anwar’s famous sisters, supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid.
Around 5 million Palestinians inhabit the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, with many more dispersed globally as refugees or settled in other countries. The film showcases Palestinian students discussing various social topics, portraying their dreams and aspirations despite their challenging circumstances.
Nevertheless, Arfuso admitted to experiencing distress upon departure, recognizing the contrast between his freedom to travel and the reality of life under occupation faced by the young individuals he met.
Hadid reiterated the shared desire among Palestinians to express themselves like any other individuals globally. However, they’ve faced obstacles while promoting their documentary on social media, an issue frequently complained about by pro-Palestinian activists. Human rights organizations and independent auditors have accused social media platforms of limiting or blocking their content.
Despite fears of censorship, the filmmakers decided to release the film independently on their website. They hope to offer a fresh perspective on Palestinians, changing negative perceptions and encouraging support for a community longing for their voices to be heard.
