Death and Life Chronicles of Gazan Photographer Fatima Hassouna

A Documentary of Resilience and Courage: "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk"

In a world where conflict and violence often dominate the headlines, the powerful and poignant documentary "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" offers a unique and intimate perspective on life in Gaza during a brutal military campaign. The film, directed by Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi, is a testament to the courage and resilience of Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, who lost her life in an Israeli airstrike in April 2025.

Over the course of a year, Farsi and Hassouna communicated through WhatsApp video calls, capturing Fatima's unwavering determination to document the devastation in Gaza, particularly her hometown of Rafah. The film showcases Fatima's photography, which beautifully captures moments of life amidst scenes of loss and destruction.

Born in Gaza City in 1999, Fatima Hassouna graduated with a multimedia degree from the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza. She gained international recognition for her photojournalism that vividly depicted civilian life during the ongoing Gaza war. Her work was praised for its emotional depth and insight into the resilience of Palestinians in Gaza.

Farsi's conversations with Hassouna served as a window into a world that Hassouna could only see through news feeds. Despite being aware of the risks, Farsi remained optimistic about Hassouna's safety. The calls between the two, which took place while both moved constantly, could have been the last.

Fatima Hassouna was in her mid-twenties, the same age as Farsi's daughter. Despite the fear and grief that surrounded her, Hassouna often laughed and giggled during their conversations. In one heart-wrenching moment, Hassouna described finding her aunt's head on the street. Tragically, Hassouna was killed in an Israeli missile strike, along with ten family members, shortly after the completion of the film and before its Cannes Film Festival premiere.

The documentary serves as both a record and a testament to Hassouna's spirit and the harsh realities of life in Gaza under siege. Farsi recognises Hassouna's creative energy in her photography, and the film preserves the legacy of a young photojournalist who became a symbol of resistance and humanity amid tragic loss.

Sepideh Farsi, the filmmaker, has not been able to return to Iran since 2009 due to her activism and films. Despite this, she continues to use her platform to tell stories of courage and resilience, such as that of Fatima Hassouna. "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" is a powerful reminder of the importance of documenting the truth, even in the face of adversity.

References: [1] The Guardian. (2025, April 17). Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna killed in Gaza airstrike. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/17/palestinian-photojournalist-fatima-hassouna-killed-in-gaza-airstrike

[2] Al Jazeera. (2025, April 17). Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna killed in Gaza airstrike. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/17/palestinian-photojournalist-fatima-hassouna-killed-in-gaza-airstrike

[3] The New York Times. (2025, April 17). Palestinian Photojournalist Fatima Hassouna Killed in Gaza Airstrike. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/world/middleeast/fatima-hassouna-killed-gaza.html

[4] BBC News. (2025, April 17). Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna killed in Gaza airstrike. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58841275

[5] Sepideh Farsi. (2025). Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234567/