Once Upon a Time in Gaza wins Best Director at Cannes' Un Certain Regard - Screens - Arts & Culture

Al-Ahram Weekly

24-05-2025

Once Upon a Time in Gaza claimed the prestigious Best Director award in Cannes' "Un Certain Regard" section.
Commenting on their triumph, Palestinian twin directors Tarzan and Arab Nasser expressed their gratitude for the recognition and the support they received throughout the journey.
Following its world premiere, the film garnered widespread acclaim from critics around the globe. Clotilde Chinnici (Loud and Clear Reviews) described it as 'necessary and remarkable. Once Upon a Time in Gaza is a beautifully shot and politically significant film, especially relevant today.'
Meanwhile, Jonathan Romney (Screen Daily) praised its impact, stating, 'This taut, succinct film should win widespread attention following its bow in Un Certain Regard.'
Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter also lauded the film, describing Once Upon a Time in Gaza as 'small-scale yet broad in its implications, especially considering what's happened since October 7,' and highlighting how the film 'touchingly portrays characters doing their best in a place that grants them few options and even fewer opportunities.'
This victory marks yet another milestone for the Nasser brothers at Cannes.
Their short film Condom Lead was selected for the Main Competition, while their debut feature Dégradé premiered in Cannes' Critics' Week.
Once Upon a Time in Gaza is their second feature, following Gaza Mon Amour, which had its world premiere in the Venice International Film Festival's Horizons program and was Palestine's submission to the 2021 Academy Awards.
The film explores the gripping story of Yahya, a young student who forges a friendship with Osama, a charismatic restaurant owner with a big heart. Together, they begin peddling drugs while delivering falafel sandwiches, but they are soon forced to grapple with a corrupt cop and his oversized ego.
An international co-production between France, Palestine, Germany, and Portugal, with additional support from Qatar and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the film boasts a stellar cast that includes Nader Abd Alhay—known for his role as Sami in Farah, currently streaming on Netflix—Ramzi Maqdisi (Ghost Hunting, awarded Best Documentary at the Berlinale), and Majd Eid (Holy Spider, Cannes winner). The film also features DOP Christophe Graillot (Ride Above) and editor Sophie Reine, who won the César Award for Best Editing for The First Day of the Rest of Your Life.
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