Still from Palestine Islands (2023), by Nour Ben Salem and Julien Menanteau.
Still from Palestine Islands (2023), by Nour Ben Salem and Julien Menanteau.
Short Films from Palestine: The Walls That Divide
12:30 pm–2:00 pm
Short Film Program
Mar Mama
Directed by Majdi El Omari (Palestine, 2023, 15 min.). Arabic with English subtitles.
Haunted by her mother’s death and recurring attacks on her city, a young girl becomes obsessed with death. As reality invades their world, her father tries to distract her by making a fantastical stop-motion film. When his efforts to shelter his daughter fail, fantasy and imagination intervene to help her—all with a touch of magic from mar mama.
The Deer’s Tooth
Directed by Saif Hammash (Palestine, 2024, 16 min.). Arabic with English subtitles.
A young man from a Palestinian refugee camp embarks on a perilous journey in order to fulfill his little brother’s wish to throw his baby tooth into the sea.
An Orange from Jaffa
Directed by Mohammed Almughanni (Palestine, 2023, 27 min.). Arabic, English, and Hebrew with English subtitles.
A young Palestinian man is desperately looking for a taxi to take him through an Israeli checkpoint. When the cab driver discovers that his passenger has already failed to cross the checkpoint, trouble begins.
Palestine Islands
Directed by Nour Ben Salem and Julien Menanteau (France, 2023, 23 min.). Arabic with English subtitles.
A 12-year-old named Maha is part of the last generation of Palestinian refugees from the Balata camp. After her blind grandfather has a medical episode, Maha tries to convince him that the Israeli separation wall has fallen and a return to his native land is possible. With the help of her friend, the young girl imagines an adventurous trip for her ailing grandfather.
Wheelchair accessible
With English subtitles
Ticket Information
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-440-6975 ($6 processing fee applies); to order in person, visit any MFA ticket desk.
Bag Checks
All bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff. Backpacks, large bags, all liquids including hand sanitizer and sunscreen, and outside food or drink are not permitted. Exceptions are made for medical or religious needs. All bags are strongly discouraged, and any bags larger than 11” x 15” must be checked in the Coat Room upon entry. Read our full bag check policy.