Farah Nabulsi’s The Present (2020) is a short film that shows a day in the life of Yusef, a Palestinian man, and his young daughter Yasmine as they navigate the harsh realities of Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank. The film shows the struggles of Palestinians who face dehumanization in every capacity of their daily lives. The main theme is restricted mobility under occupation and its psychological impact, which resonates deeply within the broader context of Palestinian existence and human rights.
At the heart of The Present is the lack of mobility that Palestinians have through checkpoints, symbolizing the larger system of control and oppression under Israeli occupation. The film opens with Yusef at the infamous Checkpoint 300, a place of torment for Palestinians. The prison-like conditions show how the occupation violates the basic human right to freedom of movement. Throughout the film, Yusef’s simple desire to purchase an anniversary gift for his wife is met with unnecessary hostility and delays, depicting how ordinary life is disrupted by systemic oppression. The restrictions on movement in the West Bank are a deeply significant issue because they affect nearly every aspect of Palestinian life, from access to healthcare to education and work. These restrictions, as shown in the film, perpetuate a cycle of humiliation and powerlessness to the Israeli occupation. The constant surveillance and detainment at checkpoints symbolize a larger form of subjugation that impacts Palestinians both physically and psychologically. These experiences raise questions about what strips people of their dignity and humanity. The film serves as a reminder that mobility, something many take for granted, is not universal, especially for those living under occupation.
The Present resonated with me because I too am Palestinian, however, I don’t live under occupation. I’m a part of the millions of Palestinians who live in the diaspora, and in my reality, a mundane activity like shopping contrasts greatly with the experience of Yusef. Although we differ, this film portrays a commonality for all Palestinians. The occupation not only limits movement but also attempts to strip away individual humanity from every Palestinian, even those within the diaspora. “Israel… builds settlements; uses the army to protect the settlers; engages in the administrative detention of Palestinians; confiscates private land; suffocates the Palestinian trade and economy; installs fences and checkpoints; separates family members; demolishes dwellings; assaults women and children; shoots at Palestinians; and more.” (Abdelrazek 2021) The moment where Yasmine comforts her father after he is detained at the checkpoint struck me as moving. Her acceptance of this harsh reality as "normal" is heartbreaking and speaks volumes about the psychological toll that such conditions take on children.
In reflecting on the American context, this film made me think about issues of systemic discrimination in the U.S. Issues like racial profiling, policing, and the mass incarceration of marginalized communities in the U.S. similarly strip away dignity and perpetuate cycles of discrimination. “Racism in Palestine and Ferguson are two inter-related, mutually supporting systems of domination. Their relationship is essential to understanding the subordination of minorities by majorities.” Thomas (2020) Both contexts show how state policing can dehumanize groups through systems of control.
Farah Nabulsi’s The Present is not just a film about a father and daughter but a representation of the daily injustices faced by Palestinians living under occupation. Through its intimate storytelling, it forces us to reflect on the broader human rights violations that occur when freedom of movement is restricted. The film also invites parallels with other global struggles against systemic oppression, encouraging viewers to think about the broader implications of these issues on human dignity.
Works Cited
Abdelrazek, Adnan. "How Low Can the Dehumanization of the Palestinians Go?" Palestine-Israel Journal of Politics, Economics, and Culture, vol. 26, no. 3/4, 2021, pp. 156-163.
Thomas, James R. "The Intersection of Palestine with Ferguson, Missouri." Journal of Ecumenical Studies, vol. 55, no. 1, 2020, pp. 82-90.