The Present is a movie released in 2020 and was directed by Farah Nabulsi. This short film follows a story that captures the struggles of living under occupation through the story of a Palestinian father and daughter on a simple shopping trip. This emotional film shines light on the challenges of daily life in the West Bank. This film focused on themes of freedom, dignity, and resilience.
The Present addresses the daily roadblocks and restrictions faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film follows Yusef played by the actor Saleh Bakri and his young daughter Yasmine. Yusef the father wanted to surprise his wife with a new refrigerator since the one at home had been broken for a while. The film begins as a mundane errand and becomes a harrowing journey as they navigate military checkpoints to buy a new refrigerator.
The scenes of the checkpoints are central to the film serving as a metaphor for the bigger issue of restricted mobility and dehumanization of the Palestinians. The intimate story between the characters in the movie clearly illustrates the psychological toll of living under constant surveillance and control. This made the issue to the viewer relatable in a way because we were put in their shoes.
The themes explored in The Present are very significant today because they represent the Palestinian struggle before October 7th. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, there are over 700 obstacles, such as checkpoints and roadblocks, in the West Bank that control Palestinians’ movement. Their restrictions disrupt mundane activities like grocery shopping or even going to work. Unfortunately, today the Palestinian struggle has become worse due to the uproar of the war. As one source notes, on the road to the refugee camp, Israeli forces control who passes and who does not, thus controlling their lives (Hitman, 2024). The Palestinian struggle has shifted to become a state of survival.
The Present deeply resonated with me, leaving me with a great emotional impact. The weight of the systemic oppression and the resilience of the Palestinian people is noteworthy. Yasmine’s innocence and bravery at the checkpoint highlight the power within the Palestinians even at a young age. This film also left me reflecting on my privileges. The ease of completing tasks like grocery shopping is a dream for others. This contrast made me very thankful for the privilege of my freedom yet angered but what other Arabs and people might be facing around the world.
The Present is a movie that uses a simple story to show the ugly truth about the Palestinian struggle. The truths about the occupation and the Palestinian resilience showed the human spirit. Farah Nabulsi’s work is a masterpiece that invited global audiences to empathize and advocate for the rights of the oppressed.
References:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). (n.d.). Over 700 road obstacles control Palestinian movement within the West Bank. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.ochaopt.org/content/over-700-road-obstacles-control-palestinian-movement-within-west-bank
Hitman, G., Shiri, I., & Lewin, E. (2024). Palestinian society in the West Bank: trust and self-sacrifice. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2336699