NNA - The highly anticipated historical drama Palestine 36, directed by acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir, officially premiered in Lebanon on May 21 at Metropolis Cinema in Mar Mikhael under the patronage and support of Dr. Basel Dalloul and the Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF).
The premiere took place in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Minister of Tourism H.E. Laura El-Khazen Lahoud, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, former Deputy Prime Minister Zeina Akar Adra, former Minister of Information Ziad Makary, Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon H.E. Sandra De Waele, Mr. Ahmad Al Halaby, First Secretary of the Palestinian Embassy, representing the Ambassador and the Embassy, as well as artists, cultural figures, media representatives, and distinguished guests for a special evening celebrating Palestinian cinema and storytelling.
Set against the backdrop of the 1936 Palestinian revolt, the film brings to life a defining chapter in Palestinian history through an emotionally charged and deeply human narrative. Combining sweeping cinematography with intimate storytelling, Palestine 36 explores the themes of resistance, identity, love, and sacrifice, offering audiences a cinematic experience that is both historically powerful and profoundly relevant today.
"Cinema has the power to preserve memory and create dialogue across generations," said Annemarie Jacir. "With Palestine 36, we wanted to tell a story that is deeply rooted in history, while speaking to audiences in a very personal and intimate way. This is a film about a major uprising and is intentionally rooted in the lives of everyday people, where resistance is not a loud heroic spectacle but a quiet cumulative act."
Dr. Basel Dalloul commented: "Supporting films such as Palestine 36 is part of our commitment to preserving and promoting Arab cultural heritage through art and cinema. This film is an important artistic achievement that deserves to be experienced by audiences across Lebanon and beyond."
Palestine 36 is now showing in Lebanon at Metropolis Cinema, Cinema City (Beirut Souks), and VOX Cinemas.
About Dr. Basel Dalloul
Dr. Basel Dalloul is a Juris Doctor (J.D), technologist, and cultural strategist whose work bridges digital infrastructure, governance, entrepreneurship, and the stewardship of Arab modern and contemporary art. He is actively engaged with international art institutions and events, including ongoing involvement with the Venice Biennale, where he has sponsored and served on the Lebanese Pavilion Committee. He also serves on museum advisory boards, speaks on technology, copyright, and cultural investment, and is a patron of the arts.
In 2016, Dr. Basel Dalloul founded the Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF) in Beirut, building upon a collection initiated in the 1970s by his parents, Dr. Ramzi Dalloul and Saeda Al-Husseini. Today, DAF houses nearly 3,000 works of modern and contemporary Arab art and serves as a leading research and public-access platform for the region's art history.
