From Ground Zero
Produced by Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi and executive produced by Michael Moore, From Ground Zero (this year’s Academy Award submission from Palestine) combines 22 short films from artists, which centre on poignant explorations of life within the Gaza warzone. The result is a tremendously moving display of creativity and artistry in what is a collage of human experiences that ranges from sombre reflections of the reality of war to uplifting and inspirational tales.
While each of these shorts shares the same thesis, each is radically different from the last. Some films take the form of a documentary as the camera shows what daily life has become. One of the most affecting films, Flashback, tells of how a young girl uses music to escape from her traumatic memories that are conjured by the sound of the drones buzzing overhead. Others are more experimental in design, with Echo consisting of the recording of a distressing phone call heard as a man looks out towards the ocean. Soft Skin incorporates a 2D stop-motion film made by children that expresses their thoughts on living through the crisis, while Awakening uses puppets made from pieces of rubbish to tell a heartfelt domestic scene.
The variety of topics and themes tackled throughout this feature is likewise just as diverse. From dealing with the loss of loved ones, the challenges of daily life, and the desire to return to normalcy, each segment captures something that is profoundly human. One of the most unique in this regard is Sorry, Cinema, which tells the story of a filmmaker forced to put their dreams on hold in order to survive. A shot of them using their clapperboard for firewood becomes a powerful metaphor for sacrifice.
Each film is as well-made and provocative as the last. Moreover, the constant sounds of drones and gunfire heard in the background are an inescapable reminder of the difficult conditions, which these works were made in. The fact that this film got made is an amazing feat in itself. From Ground Zero isn’t just an anthology of excellent short films; it’s an incredibly important feature that gives these filmmakers the power to have their voices heard.
Andrew Murray
From Ground Zero is released in select cinemas on 12th September 2025.
Watch the trailer for From Ground Zero here:
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