Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Resistance, humanity, violence in timely historical drama.
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Palestine 36
What's the Story?
PALESTINE 36 follows the Palestinian uprising against British colonial rule in 1936, when land was being redistributed to Jewish settlers. It brings together multiple stories, including that of the British colonialists—High Commissioner Wauchope (Jeremy Irons); his private secretary, Thomas (Billy Howle); and the dedicated but cruel Captain Wingate (Robert Aramayo)—and those of local Palestinians, such as female newspaper reporter Khouloud (Yasmine Al Massri), who must publish under a male pseudonym, and villagers who take their own steps to stand up for their rights—particularly Yusef (Karim Daoud Anaya), who's caught between his assistant work among the British in Jerusalem and witnessing the atrocities at their hands in his own village nearby.
Is It Any Good?
The official Palestinian entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars, this historical drama is impactful and told through the eyes of an eclectic group of characters. Palestine 36 focuses on a point in history that resonates strongly today, and it's clear in its portrayal of the British colonial rulers and the Palestinians forced to fight for their country, with little focus on the Jewish people settling in the area at that time. Archival footage has been restored and colorized, adding a kind of documentary feel to the movie, and muted colors throughout help to intertwine the two. The film doesn't indulge in too many artistic flourishes, but there's a particularly moving moment shot in slow motion that proves itself very effective, yet never overplayed. That goes for the performances also. While the British characters are in constant danger of stereotype, veteran actors like Irons do a good job of keeping them relatively nuanced, and Al Massri, Anaya, and Yafa Bakri, in particular, stand out in their roles portraying different experiences of Palestinians under British rule. Screen retellings of historical events will never be all-encompassing, nor will they ever please everyone, but this is a solid, measured retelling of events that could be a useful addition for those attempting to better understand current conflicts in the region.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Palestine 36 fits into the historical drama genre. How much of the movie do you presume to be based on facts, and how much is fictionalized? Why is it important to balance the two and present a measured portrayal of historical events? Do you think the movie does that?
How was violence portrayed in the movie? What did it add to the story? How to talk with kids about violence, crime, war, and tragedy.
The movie is based on events in 1936 but resonates with political turmoil in the present day. Did you learn anything new watching the movie? Does it make you look at current events any differently?
The movie is told from a Palestinian point of view and was directed by a Palestinian director, and Palestinian characters are portrayed by Palestinian actors. Do you think it's important that people are involved in telling their own stories in this way? Why representation matters in kids' media.
Discuss the use of strong language in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 20, 2026
- Cast : Karim Daoud Anaya , Yasmine Al Massri , Robert Aramayo , Billy Howle
- Director : Annemarie Jacir
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Watermelon Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History ( War: Other )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 25, 2026
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