‘Palestine 36’ set for Saudi cinemas in January
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Fatima Saif
- . January 4, 2026
- . Update: January 4, 2026 5:25 pm
Palestine 36, the long-awaited historical epic, shot by the great Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir, will be launched in the Saudi cinemas in January after making it through the festival. The movie, a story about the central Arab Revolt of 1936 against British colonialism, is a compilation of various stories that delves into the history of a memorable event in the history of the Palestinians. Palestine 36 has already received international acclaim and honors as the official submission of Palestine in the upcoming Oscars as the Best international feature film. The fact that it was made available in Saudi Arabia is a big cultural development, which increases the scope of the film in the Middle East.
A New Chapter on Saudi Screens
The historic drama Palestine 36 is planned to be shown on the screens of Saudi cinemas in January and increase the scope of the film display after the performance in major festivals, such as the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. The release of the movie in the Saudi theatrical venues will enable the audiences in the Kingdom to savor Jacir’s intensely humanized character of resistance, endurance and communal fight that defined Palestine in the 1936 Arab Revolt.
Palestine 36 is the story of five interconnected tales against the background of the rising tension in Mandatory Palestine. It mirrors the historical multiplicity of a society that was facing British colonial domination as world forces crossed and people at the local level struggled to demonstrate dignity and self-determination.
Historical Significance and Global Recognition
The film Palestine 36 is not only a drama but is also known because of its cultural and historical significance. The film has been acclaimed as a bold reenactment of a pivotal period in history that is usually ignored in popular filmmaking as Palestine nominated as the official entry to the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
The cast is led by the celebrated international actors, including Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons and Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham, and famous Arab world actors like Hiam Abbass, Yasmine Al-Massri, Kamel El Basha and Saleh Bakri. Their acting contributes to improving the emotional appeal of the film, incorporating intimate narratives into the wider context of political and social unrest.
Jacir’s Vision and the Film’s Impact
Director Annemarie Jacir is a filmmaker who has devoted her focus to documenting the identity and experience of Palestinians and has created Palestine 36 as a cinematic homage and in a way of reclaiming the past. The film is a result of years of study and cooperation within the region, and it plunges into the world of the truth of resistance, community and memory and it depicts the hardships of the people who were stuck between extraordinary situations.
Emulsified with its introduction in Saudi Arabia, Palestine 36 will be able to find more Arab audiences to engage in discussions on history, identity, and common heritage. Its appeal is not only limited to entertainment but also provides the viewers with an effective tool of interpretation through which to see multifaceted regional stories.
