The New Yorker Radio Hour: “No Other Land” – A Deep Dive into the Oscar-Nominated Documentary
Hosted by David Remnick, this episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour explores the collaborative efforts behind the Academy Award-nominated documentary "No Other Land." Through insightful interviews with filmmakers Basil Adra and Yuval Abraham, the episode delves into the challenges, motivations, and profound impact of documenting life in the West Bank.
Introduction: The Stark Reality Behind the Documentary
Timestamp: [00:39]
David Remnick sets the stage by addressing recent alarming headlines, notably Donald Trump's controversial proposal regarding Gaza. He underscores the gravity of the situation by highlighting Netanyahu's reaction and the broader implications for the region. Remnick introduces the documentary "No Other Land" as a poignant exploration of life in the West Bank amidst political turmoil.
Quote:
"No Other Land is opening in just a handful of theaters around the country. This week, it's been nominated as best documentary at the Academy Awards."
— David Remnick [00:39]
Meet the Filmmakers: Basil Adra and Yuval Abraham
Timestamp: [02:52] - [08:55]
Basil Adra's Story Basil Adra, a native of Masafiryata in the southern West Bank, shares his upbringing in a farming community disrupted by Israeli settlements and military base constructions. His parents' activism inspired him to document the struggles of his community from a young age.
Quote:
"I want the world to know that we face. That's what we face. And we're living in these conditions and people should care about what's happening to us and it should not continue."
— Basil Adra [04:35]
Yuval Abraham's Journey Yuval Abraham, originally from Jerusalem, transitioned from journalism to filmmaking. His proficiency in Arabic and his personal connections to Palestinian communities deepened his understanding and commitment to portraying their stories authentically.
Quote:
"My grandfather, who is a Jewish person born in Jerusalem and his family is originally from Yemen, he spoke fluent Palestinian Arabic. But then, you know, after this family connection, I began also meeting Palestinians first, Palestinians who are citizens of Israel."
— Yuval Abraham [08:00]
The Making of "No Other Land"
Timestamp: [05:22] - [19:26]
Collaboration and Vision Basil and Yuval recount the genesis of their collaboration, emphasizing the union of Palestinian and Israeli perspectives to create a balanced narrative. The documentary aggregates five years of footage, capturing everyday life, protests, and the pervasive military presence.
Quote:
"We want these people to understand and to inspire them and to encourage them that they should take part in this in any kind of action."
— Basil Adra [23:20]
Challenges Faced The filmmakers discuss the inherent dangers of documenting protests and daily life in the West Bank. Basil shares harrowing experiences of escaping settler violence, highlighting the personal risks involved in their activism.
Quote:
"I was faster and I made it and I escaped from them."
— Basil Adra [06:26]
Political Context Yuval delves into the systemic issues surrounding home demolitions and the denial of building permits to Palestinians. He emphasizes the political motivations behind these actions, countering the narrative that labels such constructions as "illegal."
Quote:
"It's a political issue, that there is a systematic effort to prevent this acquisition of building permits."
— Yuval Abraham [09:06]
Impact and Reception
Timestamp: [18:32] - [21:11]
Global Response The documentary has resonated worldwide, eliciting strong emotional reactions and garnering numerous awards. However, the filmmakers express concern over the escalating difficulties faced by Palestinian communities, despite the film’s success.
Quote:
"It's sad because we made this movie from a perspective of activism to try to save the community, to try to have political pressure and impact for the community itself."
— Basil Adra [18:41]
Changing Perceptions Yuval reflects on the film’s role in challenging entrenched narratives within Israeli society. He acknowledges the limited discourse on potential political solutions and the urgent need for broader societal engagement.
Quote:
"I see this now in Israeli society, we released the film now online in Israel and Palestine... I'm beginning to read comments from Israelis who are not necessarily like me."
— Yuval Abraham [19:59]
Hope for the Future: A Call to Action
Timestamp: [23:00] - [25:04]
Inspiring Change Both filmmakers express a fervent desire to inspire activism and political engagement. They hope "No Other Land" serves as a catalyst for viewers to advocate for justice and support efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
Quote:
"We need this like water, really. There will be no other way forward if there is no political horizon."
— Stephen Colbert [22:59]
Final Messages In a hypothetical Academy Awards moment, the filmmakers emphasize the urgent need for ceasefire implementation and the pursuit of a political solution to end the ongoing bloodshed.
Quote:
"What is the most urgent thing is that all stages of the ceasefire will be implemented and there's a very high risk."
— Stephen Colbert [24:14]
Conclusion: The Power of Storytelling
Timestamp: [25:34]
David Remnick wraps up the episode, reiterating the significance of "No Other Land" and its timely message. He acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the filmmaking team and underscores the documentary’s potential to foster understanding and drive change.
Quote:
"The film has been nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards, which are next month."
— David Remnick [25:04]
Final Thoughts
This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour offers a compelling exploration of "No Other Land," shedding light on the intertwined lives of Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank. Through personal narratives and in-depth discussions, Remnick and the filmmakers highlight the enduring struggle for justice, the power of documentary filmmaking, and the imperative for global awareness and action.