It is said that in order to better understand a culture, one must look into its art scene - cinema to be specific.
And Palestine's cinema scene is one that has definitely made a name for itself with several movies taking on different awards and titles.
Here are 5 Palestinian films you should seriously watch:
1. When I Saw You (Lamma Shoftak, 2012)
It's 1967, the worst period of time is befalling Palestine, leaving its people homeless and landless.
Tarek, an 11-year-old Palestinian boy, arrives at a Jordanian refugee camp with his mother. Losing his father during the war entices him to go looking for him, thinking maybe he'll get his old life back.
Tarek then goes on a journey of discovery, leaving his mother behind. On his way, he encounters a group of fighters who take him in to join their venture.
When I Saw You’s unique plot recites stories of war from a child refugee’s point of view.
Director: Annemarie Jacir
Length: 1h 38min
Awards: 7 wins and 12 nominations
2. In Between (Bar Bahar, 2016)
Three Palestinian flatmates in Tel Aviv - an aspiring DJ, a lawyer/party girl, and a devout Muslim student - might have conflicting ideologies, but they all agree against the gender roles imposed in the male-dominated Arab world.
This feminist film stirred controversy after its screening.
In Between boldly challenges the standards and stereotypes of Middle Eastern communities.
It sheds light on the day-to-day underground life and social issues in Palestine like homosexuality, drugs, and alcohol while maintaining a humorous tone throughout the movie.
Director: Maysaloun Hamoud
Length: 1h 43min
Awards: 9 wins and 3 nominations
3. Personal Affairs (Oumour Shakhsiya, 2016)
An elderly couple who've been married for decades, live in Nazareth, while their scattered children are in Ramallah, Sweden, and Nazareth.
This dramedy follows the family as each is trying to deal with their own personal conflicts of love, politics, and other issues, reflecting the genuine daily struggles in the everyday life of each generation.
One of the most exciting and reviving scenes in Personal Affairs is an impromptu tango rehearsal by Tarek and his lover, Maysa, in an Israeli holding cell.
Director: Maha Haj
Length: 1h 30min
Awards: 3 wins and 3 nominations
4. May In The Summer (2013)
May is an accomplished author who believes her life is complete and organized, especially after she decides to marry her Muslim fiancé, Ziad.
The young bride-to-be goes on a visit to Amman, Jordan, where her family lives, leaving the United States and her perfect life without knowing things are about to change.
May's mother, a devout Christian, disapproves of the wedding, leading to the several events and storylines that revolve around tradition and social conventions.
Director: Cherien Dabis
Length: 1h 39min
Awards: 3 nominations
5. Inheritance (2012)
A traditionalist Palestinian family is celebrating one of their daughters' wedding in the village of Galilee, Israel.
The youngest daughter, Hajar, who's studying abroad, returns home for the ceremony.
As the war between Israel and Lebanon rages, and her sister's wedding is about to happen, Hajar decides to tell her father the unwanted truth of her love affair with a Christian foreigner.
Inheritance portrays familial disapproval and conflicts as kids of new generations struggle for modernization and freedom.
Director: Hiam Abbass
Length: 1h 28 min
Awards: 1 nomination