The topic of filmmaker Sepideh Farsi’s forthcoming Cannes documentary “Place Your Spirit on Your Palm and Move Forward,” revolves around
Palestinian artist
and photojournalist Fatma Hassona, as well as her family, has allegedly been killed during an Israeli missile strike on her building in
Gaza
Scheduled to be highlighted as part of Cannes’ parallel segment ACID, which is managed by France’s Association for the Dissemination of
Independent Cinema
(ACID), the movie tracks Hassona as she documents the horrors occurring in her home country through her lens, along with supporting those experiencing immense grief.
In an announcement made to , the creators of the film along with representatives from the ACID group commented about Hassona saying, “Her radiance mirrored her determination: capturing images of Gaza, providing meals amidst bombings, grieving, enduring scarcity. Her narrative resonated with us; every time she appeared safe and sound brought us joy, yet we were constantly apprehensive for her wellbeing.”
Farsi relayed the sad news about Hassona’s passing through the French newspaper Libération, where she penned these words: “It was only recently that she turned 25. Our acquaintance began when I met her through a Palestinian friend in Cairo; at the time, I was frantically trying to find my way into Gaza, navigating closed routes as I sought answers to questions that were straightforward yet intricate—how do you endure in Gaza after being under siege for such an extended period? What is the routine existence like for Palestinians amidst conflict? And what exactly is Israel aiming to obliterate within those few square kilometers using countless explosives?”
The Iranian filmmaker labeled Israel’s action as being in line with “genocide” and put the blame not only on its governing body, but all of the international “accomplices” involved in supporting what she sees as a campaign of terror against the Palestinian people. Farsi also shared an excerpt from one of Hassona’s poem, titled “The man who wore his eyes,” which reflects the overwhelming presence of death she faced, as well as the fullness of the life she lived. Please read it below.
Perhaps I’m welcoming my demise.
now
Before the person standing in front of me loads
His elite sniper’s rifle
And it ends
And I end.
Silence.
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