Gaza Casts a Shadow over the Cannes Film Festival
The Emotional Journey of "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk"
The Cannes Film Festival will screen a documentary titled "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" that chronicles the life of Fatma Hassona, a 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist from Gaza. This film, directed by Sepideh Farsi, took on a profound significance after Hassona's unfortunate demise in an Israeli airstrike, just a day after the film's selection was announced.
A Rising Star in Gaza
Fatma Hassona was a promising young talent in the field of photojournalism, known for her dedicated coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on the civilian population. After graduating from the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza, Hassona worked tirelessly to document war-torn Gaza, collaborating with media outlets by sharing her photographs and videos. Her passion, commitment, and resilience made her an essential figure in visual storytelling.
An Intimate Portrayal
"Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" offers a personal and profound look into Hassona's life, providing an intimate glance at the struggles she faced in her quest to document reality.Director Sepideh Farsi had established a remote connection with Hassona, conducting near year-long exchanges through video calls after the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. The film serves as a testament to Hassona's courage, passion, and unwavering resolve in the face of adversity.
A Tragic Reminder
Hassona's untimely death alongside several family members has left an indelible mark on the journalism community and beyond. Sepideh Farsi described Hassona as a beacon of hope, highlighting her talent, tenacity, and commitment to her craft despite the harsh conditions she faced. The unfortunate timing of Hassona's death, immediately after learning about the film's selection for Cannes, only underscores the risks faced by journalists in war zones.
A Memorial at Cannes
In spite of the tragic circumstances, "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" will still premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, offering a platform to honor Hassona's legacy and share her story with a global audience. This milestone will serve as a tribute to Hassona's bravery and dedication, ensuring her resonating impact continues to inspire and educate those who see her work.
- The documentary, "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk," showcases the life of a French-Palestinian photojournalist, Fatma Hassona, who, despite her residence in Gaza, was known for her contributions to movies-and-tv, general-news, and politics, particularly documenting war-and-conflicts.
- Interestingly, Sepideh Farsi, Hassona's collaborator and the director of the documentary, made use of fenêtre – video calls – to connect with Hassona during the Israel-Hamas war in 2023, resulting in an intimate portrayal of her life.
- Sadly, Hassona's tragic demise in an Israeli airstrike, following the selection of her documentary for the Cannes Film Festival, highlights the inhumane risks faced by journalists in war zones.
- The Cannes Film Festival will screen "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" as a memorial to Hassona's life, her work, and her unwavering commitment to documenting reality, thereby ensuring her legacy will reach a wide audience.
- As we mourn Hassona's loss and reflect on her inspiring career, we cannot help but appreciate her contribution to the field of photojournalism, which remains an essential element in our understanding of world affairs.
