Gaza mon amour

Gaza mon amour is a heartfelt and humorous Palestinian romantic comedy-drama that premiered in 2020. Directed by Arab and Tarzan Nasser, the film stars Salim Daw as Issa, a middle-aged Palestinian fisherman who lives a simple and solitary life in the Gaza Strip. Issa is content to spend his days fishing and serving his customers at his small fish stand, while his evenings are spent in solitude.

However, his uneventful daily routine is interrupted when he discovers a statue of the ancient Greek goddess Apollo while fishing. Issa becomes obsessed with this discovery and decides to donate the statue to a museum in Ramallah, but his plans are put on hold when his heart takes an unexpected turn.

Issa's life becomes intertwined with that of Siham, a seamstress played by Maisa Abd Elhadi, who begins frequenting his fish stand regularly. Despite their obvious attraction to one another, Issa hesitates to pursue Siham. As he fights to come to terms with his feelings, he struggles with the fact that love and relationships in Gaza are often seen as rare and taboo.

As their relationship blossoms, Siham encourages Issa to pursue his long-held dreams of being a singer. This spark between them propels Issa out of his comfort zone, and he slowly begins to open up to the world around him, even in the midst of Gaza's political turmoil.

Meanwhile, Hiam Abbass plays Alia, a dignified and elegant divorcee who visits Issa's fish stand in search of a specific type of fish. She also secretly hopes to rekindle a romance with Issa that began over 20 years ago. Though Alia's return to Issa's life complicates things with Siham, her presence also offers her a chance to make peace with the past and hope for a better future.

Gaza mon amour is a unique and refreshing take on love stories, infused with the complexities and nuances of Palestinian society, politics, and culture. The movie also portrays the harsh reality that the people of Gaza have to face, as they struggle every day to live with hope, love, and resilience in the midst of conflict.

This Palestinian comedy-drama is a beautifully shot and compelling film that has won many accolades and nominations since its release. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the complexities and the beauty of the Palestinian way of life. Overall, Gaza mon amour is a love letter to Gaza, and a celebration of the resilience of the Palestinian people.