Farha

... when your hands could reach the sky, when a future had been opened and your dreams had been awoken, with a chance to learn and teach, explore, investigate and seek, helping barriers erode, helping others to decode; but instead of unlocked doors, you're imprisoned by a war, observe the crimes of an invasion, through portals locked without salvation, inhumanity to man, to children, to families, by man, against the innocent civilians, who still suffer in their millions.

An outstanding performance by Karam Taher brings to life the torment, torture and tyranny endured during times of upheaval post WWII.

As an advocate of the Palestinian cause for decades, I needed no convincing. I didn't need a documentary or history lesson. What I got was a compelling story of a family and the village they lived in during the time of the Nakba. It was all the more engaging for essentially being a true story passed down the generations by "Farha" herself.

It's rare that I sit watching the credits at the end of a film. I did so stunned and halfway through the flood of bitter tears came. Tears at the ruination of Farha's life and that of millions of others, tears at the way Palestine was dispossessed, tears at the destruction of a settled culture and traditions to make way for invaders.

I can't imagine how this tale could have been better acted, directed or told. I've visited the camps in Syria where Farha ended up and I know that Palestine is engraved on the hearts of everyone there. I long for the day that they can return.

Please watch this film.

The tale of Farha is not only a tale of the destruction of Palestinian life caused by the Nakba. It is a sensitive and beautiful portrait of traditional village life and the dreams of a young girl who desires an education beyond that provided to girls by the village Sheikh as well as a destiny beyond marriage. No one should miss this portrait of Palestine in 1948.

Although the film begins at a time of turmoil, the traditional harvest by the women of the village is shown while Farha reads a book. Her father, as mayor, is asked to join the fighters but hesitates. A traditional betrothal is shown, and the viewer becomes aware of Farha's indifference to a marriage arrangement and her own ambition to study at a school in the city. It is against this backdrop that the violence and destruction of the Nakba begins to unfold.

The inclusion of traditional harvest and betrothal songs are beautiful details and offer a counterpoint to the horror of the events of 1948.

Watched this with my teen children. We all loved it despite it being slow in the middle. A must-see to help understand history. Wonderful to have movies depicting Palestine to portray a genuine side to the conflict.

Watch it with your family. It's heart-breaking but nothing too gory that a teen can't handle.

Artistically the movie was beautifully directed.

A girl's dreams that collapsed all in one day because of occupying forces against a nation of defenseless villagers.

Loved the details of the costumes and the songs.

Loved the dialects in Arabic.

I wish they had translated her lullaby accurately. Instead it was translated as an American classic lullaby.

The best part is that it's a true story.

The truth of Palestine history needs to be portrayed more and the people deserve justice.

A story of shattered dreams, uprooted communities & destruction of the soul, Farha is one of the countless accounts of al-Nakba, the 1948 Palestinian exodus that led to their displacement from their homeland for the creation of Israel. Powerful, provocative & profoundly upsetting, the film is a harrowing coming-of-age journey of a young girl whose innocence is destroyed by the violence she witnesses.

Written & directed by Darin J. Sallam in her feature film debut, the premise may be bare-boned but it is sufficient enough for the horrors of the diaspora to play out. The film acquaints us with our 14-year-old protagonist's dreams & aspirations before the coming tragedy and the despair & anguish she's left with after seeing the sheer brutality of the invading forces. It's not an easy sit but then, it isn't supposed to be nor it should be.

Most of the events unfold inside the pantry our titular character is locked in by her father after their village is attacked. The camera stays with her throughout the ordeal, shows the violence from her perspective, and aptly captures her loss of innocence. Karam Taher is outstanding in her debut performance and plays the eponymous role with emotional precision. Sound is also integral in conveying the terror unfolding outside and it is expertly utilised.

Overall, Farha informs & sheds light on a vital slice of Palestine history that its oppressors have tried to brush under the rug for decades and makes for only a small fragment of the massacres that unfolded back in 1948 & still continue to this day. Although heavy-handed at times, it does get the message across with clarity and is a strong plea for the Palestine voice to be heard & not be silenced. One of last year's better offerings and by all means an essential viewing.