LOS ANGELES — “No Other Land,” a compelling documentary chronicling the struggles of Palestinian activists in their fight against the demolition of their communities by the Israeli military, emerged as the winner of the Oscar for Best Documentary on Sunday.
The film is a collaboration between Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, focusing on activist Basel Adra, who faces the risk of arrest as he captures the devastation of his hometown at the southern edge of the West Bank. Israeli soldiers are tearing it down to convert the area into a military training zone. Adra’s calls for help initially go unheard, but the narrative takes a turn when he forms an alliance with a Jewish Israeli journalist, amplifying his message.
“We created this film as both Palestinians and Israelis because our collective voices resonate stronger together,” asserted Israeli journalist and filmmaker, Yuval Abraham during his acceptance speech. He took a moment to denounce the actions of his country’s government, highlighting what he termed the “atrocious destruction of Gaza and its people,” while also urging Hamas to release all Israeli hostages.
Entering the evening as a strong contender, “No Other Land” had previously gained traction during a successful film festival circuit. Nevertheless, it failed to secure a U.S. distributor, despite receiving distribution deals in 24 different countries. On the Oscar stage, it triumphed over competitors such as “Porcelain War,” “Sugarcane,” “Black Box Diaries,” and “Soundtrack to a Coup d’État.”
The project was shot over four years, from 2019 to 2023, wrapping up just before the eruption of violence following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on Israel that ignited the conflict in Gaza.
In the documentary, Abraham embeds himself within a community facing displacement but encounters resistance from some Palestinians who highlight his privileges as an Israeli citizen. Adra expresses his frustration about being confined to the West Bank and treated as a criminal, contrasting it with Abraham’s freedom to travel at will.
“Looking at Basel, I see him as my brother, but we stand unequal,” declared Abraham on stage. “We reside in a regime where I enjoy freedom under civilian law, while Basel is subjected to military laws that wreak havoc on his life. There exists a different path, a political solution void of ethnic supremacy, offering national rights for both of our peoples.”
He went on to criticize the United States’ foreign policy under President Donald Trump, accusing it of obstructing this path.
The film largely relies on camcorder footage from Adra’s personal collection, documenting instances such as Israeli soldiers demolishing the local school and filling water wells with cement to impede reconstruction efforts.
The Masafer Yatta region’s residents unite after Adra captures footage of an Israeli soldier shooting a local man protesting against the destruction of his home. The victim is left paralyzed, and his mother struggles to care for him while residing in a cave.
“A couple of months ago, I became a father,” shared Adra on Sunday. “I hope for my daughter to escape the life I’m living now, continuously plagued by fears of settlers, violence, home demolitions, and forced displacements. We urge the world to take decisive action to end this injustice.”
Israeli-Palestinian Film Wins Best Documentary Oscar
