Renowned Palestinian director Darin J. Sallam is set to bring her critically acclaimed film Farha (2021) to the Larnaca Municipal Theatre tomorrow at 8pm. This screening will be attended by the mayor of Larnaca, the Palestinian ambassador to Cyprus, and Sallam herself, who is traveling from Jordan for the occasion.
A Powerful Film on the Nakba
Farha is one of the few films to tackle the Nakba, the forced displacement of Palestinians during the formation of Israel in 1948. Since its release, it has been screened at prestigious festivals worldwide, including Busan and Toronto, and has been streaming on Netflix since December 2022. The film also served as Jordan’s official submission to the Oscars.
Recalling the emotional responses to her film, Sallam shares how audiences often express deep connections: “Many viewers say, ‘I cried while watching it,’” or remark on how it brought together different generations: “I watched it with my father and grandmother, and we all cried together.” For some, like one Nakba survivor, the film resonated on an even deeper level: “‘I’m Farha,’ they said, referring to the film’s 14-year-old protagonist. ‘They can’t deny my existence.’”
However, Sallam’s most impactful reactions come from non-Palestinian audiences. “My favorite comment,” she says, “is when people tell me, ‘We never knew about this. We thought it was just a conflict, but we learned from this film.’” At the film’s premiere in Toronto, many attendees stayed afterward to express their newfound understanding of the events depicted in the film.
Facing Backlash
The film has not been without controversy. The Israeli government mounted a strong campaign against Farha, including statements by cabinet ministers, efforts to downvote the film on the Internet Movie Database, and funding cuts for a Tel Aviv theatre planning to show the film. There was also an onslaught of online harassment aimed at Sallam and the film. Despite these efforts, Netflix remained firm in its commitment to the film, refusing to withdraw it from their platform.
A Coming-of-Age Story
While Farha deals with a traumatic chapter in Palestinian history, it is also a coming-of-age drama. It tells the story of a young girl whose dreams of an education in the city are shattered, forcing her to fight for survival. Sallam emphasizes that her goal was not to make a political film but to tell the truth about her people. “I’m not a politician,” she says, “I’m an artist. I wanted to share the truth about this nation’s trauma, which has often been ignored.”
Tying History to the Present
The film’s screening in Larnaca comes at a time when the ongoing violence in Gaza has captured global attention. Sallam, however, is clear that this is not a “war” but rather an ongoing occupation and aggression. The Nakba, she explains, “never ended,” and Farha serves as a poignant reminder of a history that continues to shape the lives of Palestinians today.
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