“The Teacher”, interview with director Farah Nabulsi

“The teacher” by Farah Nabulsi, is finally being presented in Italy thanks to the 43rd Torino Film Festival. After having its world premiere at the Toronto Film festival and traveling the world around the world, the film is coming out in italiano cinemas on December 11th.

Unveiling the Depths of The Teacher Film: A Story of Love, Justice, and Hope.

“The teacher“stands out as a compelling cinematic exploration of resilience, love, and the quest for justice within the Palestinian context. The film centers on a Palestinian school teacher who strives to guide his students amidst ongoing conflict, embodying the spirit of resistance and hope. As a documentary-thriller hybrid, it captures the emotional and political layers of life under occupation, highlighting the profound sacrifices made by those fighting for dignity and freedom.

The teacher as a symbol of resilience and youth empowerment.

The film’s protagonist, a dedicated Palestinian teacher, played by Saleh Bakri, characterizes the resilience of a community fighting to preserve its identity and future. The teacher’s role goes beyond academics, becoming a symbol of hope and strength for young Palestinians facing daily challenges.

“ I wanted to go into detail and tell a more personal story about someone who lives that reality, and explore the real conditions, human experiences, and emotions that drive a person to make certain choices and take certain actions; as is the case for our protagonist, Basem, and his student Adam, and indeed also for Simon, our Jewish-American father in the film, whose son has gone missing” says director Nabulsi

Understanding The Teacher’s emotional layer.

“The teacher” explores complex emotions, particularly the tension between love and justice, and the line between revenge and resilience. It portrays a story where a parent’s love and protection intertwine with the pursuit of justice, reflecting the struggles Palestinians face in a landscape of systemic dehumanization.

“This is for me the story about the love of a parent – declares Farah Nabulsi in this interview – and about the pursuit of justice and what can happen to somebody if justice is not is not dealt”

Plot