Latest news with #SepidehFarsi
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Put Your Soul in Your Hand and Walk' Review: Ethical Concerns Riddle Iranian Documentary About a Palestinian Photojournalist Killed by the IDF
On April 15, 2025, it was announced that 'Put Your Soul in Your Hand and Walk' — a series of filmed video conversations between Iranian documentarian Sepideh Farsi and 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist, Fatma Hassona — would play in the ACID strand of the Cannes Film Festival. On April 16, as they slept in their home in Gaza City, Fatma, Walaa, Alaa, Yazan, Mohammed, and Muhannad Hassona were killed by an Israeli airstrike. Fatma's parents were wounded and father Raed died later from his injuries. Final responsibility for the murder of a bright and gifted young woman who dreamed of visiting the world lies with the Israeli Defence Force. However, given widespread awareness of how Palestinians are targeted for raising the profile of the daily suffering induced by the occupation (see also the abduction of 'No Other Land' co-director Hamdan Ballal after its Oscar win) a question hangs over this documentary about how deeply Farsi weighed her duty of care to her collaborator. Did Fatma decide that speaking in this format was worth the deadly cost that it ultimately exacted? More from IndieWire Who Will Buy Cannes' Buzziest Sales Title, 'Sound of Falling'? Natalie Portman and Ugo Bienvenu Place Humanity Above the Machines in Futuristic 'Arco' If she did, this matter is not touched in the course of the conversations that make up the soul and the substance of this documentary. Instead, the brutal news of seven deaths (and we have met three of Fatma's family members by this point) is starkly presented in a closing title card that follows a video call on April 15 subtitled, 'The Final Conversation.' Here Sepideh breaks the news to Fatma about Cannes. Fatma is a radiant presence who has been fighting back depression over the documentary's timespan of April 2024-April 2025. It's been a year in which food is becoming harder and harder to source and the sound of bombs and Apache helicopters are a daily soundtrack. A light goes on inside Fatma as Sepideh suggests that she comes to Cannes and the dramatic irony feels tasteless and cruel. We know that she will only come to Cannes as a still image behind the dates 1999-2025. In this grave context, it's hard not to weigh 'Put Your Soul in Your Hand and Walk' against the value of seven lives, an equation that can only be answered to the film's detriment. Complicating this assessment, however, is the fact that Fatma had already achieved global recognition for her photography. Her images locate splashes of vivid color and human faces that pop against the ruined buildings behind them. Farsi folds these into the documentary for its most striking and artistic sequences as we see new perspectives through Fatma's eyes. More slapdash are the newsreel clips designed to situate what Fatma is going through in Al Tuffah within a broader global narrative about Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. A variety of sources from across the political spectrum are included whose reports unfold from clashing sets of values. This is not highlighted or analysed by the film, it simply muffles an intention to create a clear frame of reference. To backtrack: Sepideh Farsi was compelled by the images coming out of Gaza to travel there. After being denied entrance through the Rafah Crossing through Cairo, she began filming refugees coming the other way. A man named Ahmed from the same neighborhood as Fatma introduced them and their personal connection proved stronger than the sketchy wifi that causes their video conversations to cut in and out. The rapport between the women is undeniable, even if Sepideh's attempt to force parallels between her own personal history in Iran and the unfolding situation in Palestine does not fully cohere. Having left Iran at the age of 18, she will not return for fear of arrest, however over the course of their conversations she calls in from France, Morocco, and Italy as a misty-eyed Fatma confesses that she has never left Gaza and that to do so is her dream. She is especially energized when Sepideh calls from Rome as The Vatican is on her bucket list. To her credit, Sepideh is aware enough to own the surreal gulf between what to her is a normal life and what has become Fatma's normal life. 'We're used to it but we're not used to it,' said Fatma, 'Because we can't get used to killing or bombing or this suffering.' At the outset of their conversations, Fatma beams with a wide, white smile even as she narrates the death and destruction she has witnessed. She is proud to be a Palestinian in Gaza. 'The strongest thing is that we have nothing to lose.' Conversations touch on the molecular details of living in a destroyed place under daily bombardment. Sometimes Fatma goes to the balcony to show her pen pal the view, and her closeness to this devastation rebirths its horror anew. She has a log on WhatsApp of family deaths, each accompanied by a photo and a description of the circumstances. There are many photos of children. They found her uncle's wife's head in the street. As she said, Fatma is both used to and not used to her loved ones being picked off. When her artist friend is martyred, she still has tears to cry. This is a slight, ambling documentary that now has a permanent shadow over it. Its leading lady deserved a stronger film and a longer life. Under the circumstances IndieWire is not awarding a grade. Instead, here is a taste of Fatma Hassona's photography. 'Put Your Soul in Your Hand and Walk' premiered in the ACID section parallel to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It is currently seeking U.S. distribution. Want to stay up to date on IndieWire's film and critical thoughts? to our newly launched newsletter, In Review by David Ehrlich, in which our Chief Film Critic and Head Reviews Editor rounds up the best new reviews and streaming picks along with some exclusive musings — all only available to subscribers. Best of IndieWire The 25 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies, Ranked Every IndieWire TV Review from 2020, Ranked by Grade from Best to Worst
Malay Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Cannes honours Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna killed in Gaza air strike
Cannes audiences honoured Fatima Hassouna, a young Palestinian photojournalist killed in an Israeli air strike, during the premiere of a documentary about her life. Filmmaker Sepideh Farsi turned over 200 days of remote conversations with Hassouna into a film that captures her resilience amid the devastation in Gaza. As violence continues to escalate in Gaza, the documentary's debut highlighted growing calls for justice and protection for Palestinian civilians and journalists. CANNES, May 16 — A documentary whose main subject, 25-year-old photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza weeks before it premiered at Cannes stunned viewers into silence at the festival on Thursday. As the cinema lights came back on, filmmaker Sepideh Farsi held up an image of the young Palestinian woman killed with younger siblings on 16 April and encouraged the audience to stand and applaud in tribute. 'To kill a child, to kill a photographer is unacceptable,' Farsi said. 'There are still children to save. It must be done fast,' the exiled Iranian filmmaker added. With Israel banning foreign media from entering the besieged Palestinian territory, Farsi last year reached out to Hassouna through video calls and turned more than 200 days of conversations into the documentary Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk. In often disjointed discussions due to poor internet connection, Hassouna smiles widely and bravely says she is OK. She recounts how she dreams of eating chicken amid dire food shortages, how she lost 14 relatives including a one-year-old in Israeli bombardment, and what she photographed that day. In one of her many pictures edited into the film, a little girl laughs on her father's lap in front of a tower block reduced to rubble. But in another, a boy aims a water hose at the bloodied pavement, trying to clean away the remains of his own family. 'Normal people' A day after Hassouna was told the documentary had been selected for a sidebar section at the world's most prestigious film festival, an Israeli missile struck her home in northern Gaza, killing her and 10 relatives. Israel has claimed it was targeting the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas. 'Why would you kill someone and decimate an entire family just because she was taking photos?' Farsi told AFP. 'They were normal people. Her father was a taxi driver, she was a photographer, her sister was a painter and her little brother was 10 years old,' said Farsi. People mourn for the victims of Israeli strikes on Jabalia, at the Indonesian hospital in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip on May 15, 2025. — AFP pic 'My heart goes out to her mother, who lost six of her children, her husband and her home.' On Thursday, British filmmaker Ken Loach — a double Palme d'Or winner — called on people via X to honour Hassouna and fellow Palestinian journalists 'who gave their lives to bear witness to mass murder'. Tens of thousands have been killed in Gaza and an aid blockade threatens famine, while Israeli leaders continue to express a desire to empty the territory of Palestinians as part of the war sparked by Hamas's unprecedented 7 October 2023 attack. Reporters Without Borders estimates around 200 journalists have been killed in 18 months of Israeli strikes on Gaza. 'Reality caught up with us' As the Gaza death toll mounts, with rescuers saying 120 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Thursday alone, the conflict has cast a shadow over Cannes. Several actors have walked its red carpet wearing Palestinian flags pinned to their jackets, while others have sported a yellow ribbon for Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Exiled Gazan filmmakers Arab and Tarzan Nasser will on Monday screen Once Upon a Time in Gaza, a portrait of two friends set in 2007, the year Hamas began tightening its grip on the territory. On the eve of the festival, Schindler's List actor Ralph Fiennes and Hollywood star Richard Gere were among more than 380 figures to slam what they see as silence over 'genocide' in Gaza. The English Patient actor Juliette Binoche, who heads the main competition jury, paid homage to Hassouna on opening night. Sepideh said she had believed until the very end that Hassouna 'would survive, that she would come (to Cannes), that the war would stop. 'But reality caught up with us,' she said. — AFP
Al Arabiya
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
‘I thought she'd survive': Story of slain Gaza photojournalist touches Cannes
A documentary whose main subject, 25-year-old photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza weeks before it premiered at Cannes stunned viewers into silence at the festival Thursday. As the cinema lights came back on, film maker Sepideh Farsi held up an image of the young Palestinian woman killed with younger siblings on April 16, and encouraged the audience to stand up and clap to pay tribute. 'To kill a child, to kill a photographer is unacceptable,' Farsi said. 'There are still children to save. It must be done fast,' the exiled Iranian filmmaker added. With Israel banning foreign media from entering the besieged Palestinian territory, Farsi last year reached out to Hassouna through video call, and turned more than 200 days of conversations into the documentary 'Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk.' In often disjointed discussions due to bad internet connection, Hassouna smiles widely and bravely says she is ok. She recounts how she dreams of eating chicken amid dire food shortages, how she lost 14 relatives including a one-year-old in Israeli bombardment, and what she photographed that day. In one of her many pictures edited into the film, a little girl laughs on her father's lap in front of a tower block reduced to rubble. But in another, a boy aims a water hose at the bloodied pavement, trying to clean away the remains of his own family. 'Normal people' A day after Hassouna was told the documentary had been selected for a sidebar section at the world's most prestigious film festival, an Israeli missile pummelled her home in northern Gaza, killing her and 10 relatives. Israel has claimed it was targeting Palestinian militant group Hamas. 'Why would you kill someone and decimate an entire family just because she was taking photos?' Farsi told AFP. 'They were normal people. Her father was a taxi driver, she was a photographer, her sister was a painter and her little brother was 10 years old,' said Farsi. 'My heart goes out to her mother, who lost six of her children, her husband and her home.' On Thursday, British filmmaker Ken Loach -- a double Palme d'Or winner -- on X called on people to honor Hassouna and fellow Palestinian journalists 'who gave their lives to bear witness to mass murder.' Tens of thousands have been killed in Gaza and an aid blockade threatens famine, while Israeli leaders continue to express a desire to empty the territory of Palestinians as part of the war sparked by Hamas's unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack. Reporters Without Borders estimates around 200 journalists have been killed in 18 months of Israeli strikes on Gaza. 'Reality caught up with us' As the Gaza death toll mounts, with rescuers saying 120 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Thursday alone, the conflict has cast a shadow over Cannes. Several actors have walked its red carpet wearing Palestinian flags pinned to their jackets, while others have sported a yellow ribbon for Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Exiled Gazan film makers Arab and Tarzan Nasser will on Monday screen 'Once Upon a Time in Gaza,' a portrait of two friends set in 2007, the year Hamas started tightening its grip on the territory. On the eve of the festival, 'Schindler's List' actor Ralph Fiennes and Hollywood star Richard Gere were among more than 380 figures to slam what they see as silence over 'genocide' in Gaza. 'The English Patient' actor Juliette Binoche, who heads the main competition jury, paid homage to Hassouna on opening night. Sepideh said she had believed until the very end that Hassouna 'would survive, that she would come (to Cannes), that the war would stop. 'But reality caught up with us,' she said.
Reuters
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Cannes mourns Palestinian journalist killed in Gaza airstrike
CANNES, France, May 15 (Reuters) - The Cannes film community mourned Palestinian journalist Fatima Hassouna on Thursday evening, cramming into theatres to watch the documentary about her life in Gaza. She used to say this would pass, recalled director Sepideh Farsi ahead of a showing of "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" in the French Riviera resort town. "And it will pass. She is not here but yet she is present, they didn't manage to defeat her," Farsi said, her voice breaking. Hassouna, 25, had been determined to come to the Cannes Film Festival to see the documentary despite the difficulties posed by Israel's blockade, Farsi told Reuters ahead of the screenings. She was "glowing with joy" the day she learned the film had been selected, Farsi added. The next day, Hassouna was killed in an Israeli airstrike on her home. Her death prompted the usually apolitical festival to issue a statement, opens new tab mourning her as one of "the far too many victims of the violence" in the region. "Although a film is a small thing in the face of such a tragedy," its screening as part of the ACID independent film programme would be a way to honour the journalist, said the festival last month. The screenings coincide with "Nakba Day" -- when Palestinians commemorate the loss of their land following the 1948 war at the birth of the state of Israel -- as Israeli military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank have again displaced hundreds of thousands. The war has destroyed large swathes of Gaza and forced most of the more than 2 million people who live there to move multiple times, clinging on in tents or bombed-out houses and other makeshift shelters. Farsi said she was doing all she could to bring the film and exhibition of Hassouna's photos, which document life in Gaza amid the war, to as many people as possible. "Those who wanted to look away perhaps will now be confronted with her simplicity, her force, and she's gone now, and they know it," said the Tehran-born director. Farsi added that she received a report this week from the London-based Forensic Architecture research group that had found Hassouna had been a target. "It's hard to believe, it's like science fiction," she said. "What many people want, is for this war to stop and for the civilian population not to be targeted like this. Monstrously." The Israeli army said in a statement on Thursday that it had struck a militant in Gaza City overnight on April 16. "Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence," it said.
Jordan Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan Times
'I thought she'd survive': Story of slain Gaza photojournalist touches Cannes
Hassouna was killed along with 10 relatives in an air strike on her family home in northern Gaza (AFP photo) CANNES, France — Sepideh Farsi is still in shock after an Israeli air strike in Gaza killed her documentary's main subject, 25-year-old photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, weeks before its Cannes premiere on Thursday. "Why would you kill someone and decimate an entire family just because she was taking photos?" she told AFP before the screening. With Israel banning foreign media from entering the besieged Palestinian territory, Farsi reached out to Hassouna through video calls, turning more than 200 days of conversations into "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk". A day after Hassouna was told it had been selected for a sidebar section at the world's most prestigious film festival, an Israeli missile pummelled her home in northern Gaza, killing her and 10 relatives. Israel has claimed it was targeting Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas. But "they were normal people. Her father was a taxi driver, she was a photographer, her sister was a painter and her little brother was 10 years old", said Farsi. "My heart goes out to her mother, who lost six of her children, her husband and her home. She lost everything." 'Reality caught up with us' Tens of thousands of people have been killed in Gaza, while Israeli leaders have expressed a desire to empty the territory of its inhabitants as part of the war sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. As the death toll mounts, with rescuers saying 94 people have been killed in Israeli strikes so far on Thursday alone, the conflict has cast a shadow over actors have walked its red carpet wearing Palestinian flags pinned to their jackets, while others have sported a yellow ribbon for Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Exiled Gazans Arab and Tarzan Nasser will on Monday screen "Once Upon a Time in Gaza", a portrait of two friends set in 2007, the year Hamas started tightening its grip on the territory. On the eve of the festival, "Schindler's List" actor Ralph Fiennes and Hollywood star Richard Gere were among more than 380 figures to slam what they see as silence over "genocide" in Gaza. "The English Patient" actor Juliette Binoche, who heads the main competition jury, paid homage to Hassouna on opening night. Sepideh said she had believed until the very end that Hassouna "would survive, that she would come, that the war would stop. "But reality caught up with us," she said. Reporters Without Borders estimates around 200 journalists have been killed in 18 months of Israeli strikes on Gaza.
