Drop by Auditorium Three at the Laemmle Theater’s Monica Film Center in downtown Santa Monica one afternoon this week, and you won’t want to miss the screening of “No Other Land”, the Oscar-winning documentary detailing the Israeli government’s controversial eviction attempts against Palestinians from the southern West Bank community of Masafer Yatta. This film offers a critical perspective on the actions of the Israel Defense Forces that I think is worth seeing.
Stay put after the end credits for the following screening, as a different movie unfolds: “October 8”, the freshly released film that portrays the Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023 and the mistreatment of Jewish students on American university campuses, with a distinctly critical perspective towards the academic left.
The convergence in the screening room provides a tangible illustration of a growing trend resembling a movie-making polling station: Two documentaries that major Hollywood wouldn’t consider, both gaining popularity among contrasting viewers with distinct viewpoints.
Greg Laemmle, owner and president of Laemmle, expressed that they think all types of films should be made available for purchase. He elaborated on their choice to showcase both movies, stating that it allows the public to discover what’s out there and gain a better understanding of global events by watching these films.
A subtle competition has been brewing in movie theaters, spanning from independent to chain cinemas, across the country during early spring. Unlike the monumental clash between Fahrenheit 9/11 and The Passion of the Christ back in 2004, this contest has its unique twist. A large number of viewers with pro-Jewish and pro-Israel sentiments have been flocking to October 8, while those who support Palestinians have been attending the Academy Award-winning film No Other Land. Both movies strive to shed light on the crucial geopolitical and social issue that dominates our current era, despite Hollywood’s attempts to steer clear of this topic.
1. The high demand for these films, with over 250,000 tickets sold and no signs of decreasing, indicates a strong interest in content related to the Middle East. However, the wide appeal of these two movies concerns experts and even one of the filmmakers, who see this rivalry as another sign of a culture splitting apart. In other words, you can now include which Middle Eastern documentary you’d support and which you’d avoid among the questions about influencers, news sources, fashion choices, and viewpoints you typically consider.
2. The success of these films, with ticket sales exceeding 250,000 and still growing, shows a significant interest in Middle Eastern content. But, the broad appeal of these two movies raises concerns among experts and even one of the creators, who view this competition as evidence of a culture becoming increasingly divided. Essentially, you can now discuss your preference for which Middle East documentary you’d attend and which you’d pass on, along with your usual choices regarding influencers, news sources, fashion trends, and opinions.
3. The popularity of these films, with 250,000 tickets sold and no signs of slowing down, suggests a strong appetite for content about the Middle East. However, the wide-reaching appeal of these two movies worries experts and one of the filmmakers, who see this rivalry as an example of a culture fragmenting. To put it simply, you can now include your choice between which Middle Eastern documentary you’d watch and which you’d avoid among the topics you usually discuss, such as influencers, news sources, fashion trends, and viewpoints.
Wendy Sachs, director of October 8, states to THR that it would be wonderful if there was a significant overlap between the audiences of both shows, but she’s unsure if that’s happening. She explains that typically, if someone is captivated by No Other Land, they probably aren’t interested in October 8, and the reverse is also true.
Both movies offer compelling narratives that can captivate and infuriate viewers simultaneously. However, the specific groups of viewers who experience these emotions might differ.
The film “No Other Land” has been garnering awards since its premiere at last year’s Berlinale for its poignant portrayal of residents from a Palestinian community who have been gradually displaced from their homes by the Israeli government following a protracted legal battle. The film is co-directed by Hamdan Ballal and Basel Adra, both residents of the West Bank, as well as Israeli peace activists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Basel Adra’s personal story serves to humanize the abstract conflict.
Despite the intense political environment of the Middle East, no U.S. distributor was willing to purchase the film. Consequently, the filmmakers decided to distribute No Other Land in American cinemas themselves. They enlisted the marketing assistance of Cinetic Media based in New York and an independent exhibition consultant named Michael Tuckman. Following a debut in late January at a single theater, timed with Oscar nominations, the film expanded to 100 screens during the Oscars weekend and has sustained its momentum even weeks beyond the ceremony. Last weekend saw its highest earnings since just after the Oscars.
The film is expected to surpass $2 million in ticket sales this weekend, which is equivalent to approximately 170,000 tickets – an unusual achievement for a documentary in the 2020s, especially one that didn’t have any advertisements promoting it. (The risks of self-distribution.)
A representative from Cinetic stated that each of the four directors were residing or spending considerable time in the West Bank and could not be reached for media interviews (their Oscar speeches continue to serve as an enduring symbol of the group). The movie is currently on the hunt for a TV or streaming distribution deal within the U.S. However, Jason Ishikawa, who represents Cinetic’s sales department in handling film sales, did not provide a response when asked for comment.
As a devoted admirer, I’ve observed how my beloved film, “No Other Land“, has been capturing the spotlight lately. Last week, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner made an unsuccessful attempt to evict a theater showing the film from city-owned property, causing a stir in media outlets nationwide. And on Tuesday, Abraham reported that his co-director Ballal was attacked by Israeli settlers outside his home and later detained by soldiers when he sought medical attention in an ambulance. The IDF claims Palestinian terrorists initiated the confrontation. (For a firsthand account of the event from a regional peace activist, you can read THR‘s story here.) It’s the very controversy surrounding these movies that has been driving their popularity among audiences. Hollywood giants have long resisted these films due to their knack for making headlines, but it seems this notoriety is precisely what’s fueling their appeal.
According to Tuckman, not only was the team responsible for the movie taken aback, but the success it’s achieved surpassed everyone’s most daring predictions, as he puts it.
An unexpected sequence of events leading up to October 8th has unfolded. The movie employs the October 7 massacre of Israelis as a starting point, delving into the 18 months of antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents that have occurred on college campuses and beyond – showcasing those who opposed it, as well as those who instigated it. Featuring a variety of academics, politicians, student leaders, and celebrities (Debra Messing serves as an executive producer), the film posits that Hamas has been planting antisemitic sentiments in the United States for over three decades.
The documentary, which was funded through donations by Teddy Schwarzman and Sachs (who had previously produced a movie focusing on feminist Democratic Congressional candidates), encountered the same barriers as the film “No Other Land”. It failed to secure a distribution deal with any studio or streaming platform, and was even rejected by all sales agents. Eventually, Tom Ortenberg from theatrical distributor Briarcliff Entertainment stepped in, having recently acquired several films that were previously without a home, such as “The Apprentice” and the documentary about Jamal Khashoggi titled “The Dissident”.
As of now, October 8th has gained significant popularity and is currently being screened on approximately 100 screens, including those belonging to major chains such as AMC and Regal. On its 13th day in theaters, this film is expected to surpass $1 million at the box office – a figure that, in the post-pandemic era, very few issue-focused documentaries manage to reach within any timeframe, except for No Other Land.
Attending Sachs’ film has become a means for numerous Jews to express their political views, as they believe the events of October 7 have been overlooked and not adequately addressed by American culture and media regarding antisemitism. The pro-Jewish and pro-Israel communities in the U.S. are showing strong support for this movie, with synagogues in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and others organizing gatherings to share a collective experience.
According to Dov Lerner, a philosophy professor at Yeshiva University and the rabbi of Young Israel of Jamaica Estates in Queens, NY (a Modern Orthodox congregation that supports Israel), the Jewish community is often affected positively and negatively by the belief that it’s larger than its actual size. He suggests one method to reinforce this perception is by participating in events such as this one, thereby demonstrating to media outlets that we are active and significant. In essence, attending films can be likened to casting a large number of votes, which signifies a demographic’s influence to elected officials.
On Thursday evening, I’m all set for an exciting outing as our synagogue has organized a trip to catch the movie “October 8” at a nearby theater. Over forty of us have already grabbed our tickets!
The movie, as he sees it, is expected to cater to the individual requirements of the congregation. He further notes that “Currently within our community, people are seeking affirmation and clarification.
Similar to “No Other Land,” October 8 has recently gained relevance due to current events, as Columbia University agrees to tighten regulations with the Trump administration regarding the type of antisemitic incidents portrayed in October 8.
Both films have gained attention due to the widespread media coverage surrounding the ICE arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the leader of Columbia encampments. For supporters of “No Other Land,” this event underscores the very injustices depicted in the film that Palestinians experience. On the other hand, for fans of “October 8,” it serves as an illustration of the kind of decisive action U.S authority figures should take more often, though some pro-Israel Americans express disagreement with this action.
A notable shift in nonfiction films today is their tendency to strongly favor one perspective over others. Unlike earlier documentaries, such as the gold standard example “Lake of Fire” (2006) by Tony Kaye, which delved into all aspects of a complex issue like the American abortion debate, more recent films like “No Other Land” and “October 8” don’t seem to aim for that balance. Instead, their filmmakers present arguments with fervor rather than maintaining an objective, investigative approach.
One experienced studio executive, preferring anonymity due to not being granted media permission, notes that if you were to watch both movies, you’d gain a rather extensive understanding of the situation. However, it’s worth questioning how many viewers actually watch both films.
To Thom Powers, a well-known documentarian at TIFF and DOC NYC, it’s both comprehensible and troubling that many people seem to be purchasing movie tickets primarily as a form of entertainment rather than for educational purposes.
Regardless of one’s political beliefs, it’s become increasingly evident in this nation that half the population disagrees with you on a weekly basis. This can be quite isolating. However, watching a movie where thoughts and characters you identify with are presented for 90 minutes can help alleviate those feelings of loneliness.”
or
“In this country, it’s clearer than ever that half the population may not share your views each week, regardless of ideology. This can lead to feelings of isolation. But watching a movie where you find common ground with the ideas and characters for 90 minutes can make those feelings less overwhelming.
Powers comments, “Just like a romantic film may offer comfort to those lacking love, these movies address an emptiness in one’s life by providing nourishment to a missing aspect.
In principle, both documentaries could be accurate, as there are indeed numerous victims in each community. However, when it comes to today’s practice of taking sides and discarding complexity, it’s unlikely they would get it right in this manner.
If you assume the conflict sparked by those two films will swiftly conclude at the box office, reconsider. This weekend, another Middle East-focused documentary debuts, titled The Encampments. It’s produced by outspoken anti-Zionist Macklemore. While October 8 and its portrayal of pro-Zionist Columbia students resisting campus bullying is still playing in theaters, The Encampments, as suggested by promotional materials, is “a groundbreaking documentary that traces the Columbia University Gaza Solidarity Encampment and the global student activism it inspired.
Ryan Gajewski contributed to this report.
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2025-03-27 18:55