As someone whose knowledge of the Palestinian occupation was just limited to my college world history class, this movie brings adds a whole another layer to how I view the Nakba, the events of 1948, and the occupation that continues to this day.
While not told through a historical perspective, Farha is told through the eyes of 14 year old child, thus, we the viewers, see the catastrophe unfold before us, through Farha. We follow her from a spirited, stubborn child, with a zeal for education, and breaking with tradition, to her being reduced to a shell of her former self by the end. This story is the tragedy of not just Farha, or her father, or her best friend, Farida, or the family including the baby that is brutally murdered. Rather it is the tragedy of generations upon generations of Palestinians. Of millions of Farhas who watch their dreams crumble right along her entire village into ashes.
This is especially harrowing when you realize it is based on a true story.
While not told through a historical perspective, Farha is told through the eyes of 14 year old child, thus, we the viewers, see the catastrophe unfold before us, through Farha. We follow her from a spirited, stubborn child, with a zeal for education, and breaking with tradition, to her being reduced to a shell of her former self by the end. This story is the tragedy of not just Farha, or her father, or her best friend, Farida, or the family including the baby that is brutally murdered. Rather it is the tragedy of generations upon generations of Palestinians. Of millions of Farhas who watch their dreams crumble right along her entire village into ashes.
This is especially harrowing when you realize it is based on a true story.