In this interview Palestinian filmmaker based in the Netherlands Sabrine Khoury, talks about her short film “The Miracle of Life”.
Combining animation and reality, the film explores authentic emotions such as fear and doubt, and the difficulty of recognising oneself in an often idealised and stereotyped depiction of motherhood. In the context of the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, Khoury reflects on the right to experience pain and the privilege of those who can live safely.
The film is also an open letter to her son, encouraging him to proudly embrace his Palestinian identity in a world scarred by conflict. “The Miracle of Life” won both the Best Documentary and Audience Awards at the 19th IFF – Integration Film Festival
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Credits: Interview conducted by Daphne Di Cinto, Artistic Director of the IFF- Integration Film Festival, held in Bergamo from May 13 to 17, 2025.
Plot
In the Netherlands, a pregnant Palestinian woman experiences conflicting emotions and challenges social norms around motherhood. Torn between her personal struggles and the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, she confronts her privilege, questioning herself and her right to suffer.