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As the current Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature, No Other Land and its team of filmmakers — Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal, Basel Adra, and Rachel Szor — should ideally be celebrating their achievement. Typically, such recognition results in theatrical releases, promotional events, and lucrative follow-up projects. However, the situation surrounding No Other Land is quite different, as the film and its creators face significant hurdles in fully capitalizing on their success. This article examines the various challenges they have encountered.
‘There is much less space for this kind of criticism’
No Other Land portrays the collaboration between Adra, a Palestinian activist, and Abraham, an Israeli journalist, as they document the devastation in Masafer Yatta, located in the occupied West Bank, caused by Israeli military actions. Though the film quickly gained international acclaim, winning accolades at the Berlin Film Festival and numerous others, it struggled to secure a distribution deal in the U.S. due to its politically sensitive content.
Earlier this year, the filmmakers partnered with Cinetic Media to manage their screenings, leading to showings across more than 20 theaters in the U.S. The film’s domestic box office grossed $1.7 million, making it the highest-grossing documentary from this year’s Oscar nominees. This success was not entirely unexpected for the filmmakers.
Abraham noted in an interview with Variety that even with the film’s global distribution and substantial demand in the U.S., major distributors have been hesitant to take on the project. He emphasized the critical nature of the film in relation to Israeli policies, suggesting that it reflects a need for reform. Nonetheless, he expressed concern that the discourse in the U.S. lacks the nuance often found elsewhere.
‘Together we are stronger’
Despite its distribution challenges, No Other Land made a powerful statement at the Oscars, winning on March 2 among competitors like Black Box Diaries and Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat. In their acceptance speech, the filmmakers condemned the “atrocious destruction of Gaza” and criticized U.S. policies that hinder Palestinian freedom.
Adra highlighted his hopes for a different future for his daughter, expressing a desire for her to escape the fear of displacement that people in Masafer Yatta experience daily. He urged the global community to recognize the enduring injustices faced by Palestinians.
Abraham reinforced this message, stating that their collaborative effort symbolizes shared humanity, calling for recognition of the suffering experienced by both sides. He pointed out the stark inequalities that exist, underscoring the interconnectedness of peace and freedom for both Palestinians and Israelis. He argued for a political solution that recognizes the rights of both groups, reflecting on how U.S. policies currently hinder such progress.
‘A false one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people’
On March 12, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner initiated a draft resolution to terminate O Cinema’s lease, claiming the theater’s screening of No Other Land represented a “false one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people.” He expressed concerns about the dissemination of hate and antisemitism in a publicly owned venue.
O Cinema’s CEO, Vivian Marthell, defended the decision to screen the documentary, emphasizing that showcasing diverse perspectives is essential in a democratic society. She warned that any attempts to censor artistic expression threaten the foundational freedoms that filmmaking represents.
In response, Abraham criticized Meiner’s stance, asserting that using accusations of antisemitism to silence discussion on important issues undermines the true meaning of the term.
After community backlash, Meiner withdrew his petition at a city commission meeting, where most commissioners opposed the action.
‘The settlers attacked him’
In a recent update, Abraham reported that Ballal was attacked near his home in the West Bank, suffering injuries from the assault by Israeli settlers. Following the assault, Israeli soldiers detained him, exacerbating concerns about his safety. Jihad Nawajaa, a local council leader, confirmed that the attack occurred during a community gathering at iftar, marking the end of Ramadan fasting.
Ballal was released the following day, but not without physical and emotional toll, enduring an overnight ordeal in custody.
‘Sadly, the U.S. Academy … declined to publicly support Hamdan’
Abraham later criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for not publicly supporting Ballal during his ordeal. He noted the lack of outrage from the Academy despite the recognition they awarded him just weeks prior.
His frustration was mirrored by other filmmakers and arts organizations, who expressed solidarity with Ballal and condemned the violence he faced.
‘The Academy condemns harming or suppressing artists for their work or their viewpoints’
On March 26, Academy leaders comprised of Bill Kramer and Janet Yang issued a non-specific statement reiterating the Academy’s commitment to the protection of artistic expression, while refusing to comment directly on the events related to No Other Land or its filmmakers. The statement emphasized the importance of diverse narratives and the Academy’s dedication to supporting creators globally.
U.S. film critics groups ‘are gravely concerned for Mr. Ballal’s health and safety’
On March 27, various U.S. film critics organizations collectively condemned the attack against Ballal, voicing deep concern for his health and safety, as well as that of his family. They pointed to the broader context of violence faced by Palestinians reflected in No Other Land, which serves as a stark reminder of ongoing threats those in the region endure regularly.
‘Watch at home’ … or not
Even with its Oscar victory, No Other Land remains challenging to access for audiences in the U.S., with limited screenings available at independent theaters. Unfortunately, major streaming platforms have opted not to carry the film, relegating it to availability through its official website — accessible primarily to viewers in Israel-Palestine. U.S. audiences desiring to view the film might need to employ a VPN to navigate these restrictions.
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