Farha

Review by Ruhama Bekele

The short:

From her hiding place, young Farha witnesses the brutal slaughter of Palestinian villagers through a small hole in the door.

The long:

Immediately after the British departure from Palestine, violence erupts between Zionist militias fighting for the establishment of a Jewish nation-state and Palestinians defending their families from being expulsed. Amid the unraveling war, Farha’s father tells her to hide in a small shed and wait for his return. While there, Farha bears witness to the sounds of war and out of curiosity, takes a look outside through a small hole in the door. The traumatic sights Farha sees become emblematic of the “Nakba”, or catastrophe, in 1948.

To watch or not to watch:

Watch! Although the film is extremely disheartening, it provides another important perspective on the 1948 War as it provides insight into what Palestinians mean when they refer to the war as the Nakba.