Netflix launches Palestinian film collection

Media giant says new collection, titled 'Palestinian Stories', is made up of 32 award-winning films that are either directed by Palestinian filmmakers or tell Palestinian narratives, and which will be available to all subscribers

Reuters|
Palestinian director Ameen Nayfeh says he felt proud after bringing to life through film his personal struggle in crossing an Israeli military checkpoint to visit his dying grandfather. But he didn't expect his short film to have a wide audience.
  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • That all changed for Nayfeh on Thursday, when Netflix launched a new Palestinian film collection, the first of its kind by a major streaming service, that includes his award-winning short "The Crossing".
    2 View gallery
    The collection includes a lineup of award-winning films that are either made by Palestinian filmmakers or feature Palestinian stories
    The collection includes a lineup of award-winning films that are either made by Palestinian filmmakers or feature Palestinian stories
    The collection includes a lineup of award-winning films that are either made by Palestinian filmmakers or feature Palestinian stories
    (Photo: Netflix)
    “This is why we make films, because we want our stories to travel, we want people to know about us,” Nayfeh, 33, told Reuters.
    “Now when you type Palestine in the search button on Netflix, you will see so many different titles that you can watch. Before, when I would type Palestine I would get Israeli titles,” he said.
    Netflix's new Palestinian collection, titled “Palestinian Stories”, is made up of 32 award-winning films that are either directed by Palestinian filmmakers or tell Palestinian stories, the company said in a press release on Tuesday.
    “The diversification of our content sits close to my heart as Netflix works to become the home of Arabic cinema,” said Nuha El Tayeb, a spokesperson for Netflix.
    Many of the films tell stories of Palestinian life in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War war and which Palestinians seek for a future independent state.
    Israel maintains military checkpoints in the West Bank, citing security concerns. Palestinians say the roadblocks severely restrict their mobility throughout the territory.
    2 View gallery
    פלסטיני מנופף ב דגל פלסטין מול מודיעין עילית
    פלסטיני מנופף ב דגל פלסטין מול מודיעין עילית
    A protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a demonstration near the West Bank settlement of Modi'in Ilit
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Before filmmakers, Palestinian musicians began reaping the benefits of streaming to a global audience after Spotify launched its music streaming service in the Middle East and North Africa in 2018.
    Netflix has made the new collection of Palestinian films available to all customers, the company said.
    Huda al-Imam, an actress in the Oscar-nominated film "Ave Maria", which is also featured in Netflix's Palestinian collection, said it would expand the reach of Palestinian stories.
    “Thanks to Netflix, now Palestinian stories and Palestinian life with its beauty and agony will be shown all around the world," al-Imam said.
    Comments
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    ""