Set against the harrowing backdrop of the 1948 Nakba—the Palestinian exodus—Farha tells the poignant story of a 14-year-old girl who becomes an unwitting witness to one of the countless acts of brutal violence and ethnic cleansing that marked the creation of the Israeli state. Written and directed by Darin Sallam, the film is inspired by true events relayed to Sallam by her grandmother. Unsurprisingly, Farha has drawn ferocious criticism from Israeli officials, a testament to its unflinching depiction of historical trauma.
The film centers on Farha (Karem Taher), a spirited 14-year-old girl living in a peaceful Palestinian village. Farha’s father, Abu Farha (Ashraf Barhom), serves as the village mayor. Unlike her peers, many of whom are being married off, Farha dreams of pursuing her education in the city alongside her best friend, Fareeda. Her ambitions defy societal norms, and after much pleading, her father reluctantly agrees, spurred on by the encouragement of Fareeda’s father, Abu Fareeda. Farha’s joy at this breakthrough, however, is short-lived.
Chaos ensues as their village comes under attack. In the midst of the violence, Abu Farha instructs his daughter to flee with Fareeda’s family. But Farha, unwilling to leave her father behind, chooses to stay. Desperate to protect her, Abu Farha locks her in a courtyard storage room, promising to return. What follows is a grueling and haunting ordeal, as Farha’s world shrinks to the confines of the room, while the horrors of war rage on just outside.
A Devastating Witness
The strength of Farha lies in its raw, minimalist storytelling. The screenplay builds with measured intensity, culminating in a devastating sequence where Farha, peering through a small hole in the wall, witnesses a massacre. Israeli soldiers execute a Palestinian family, including a newborn. One soldier, ordered not to waste a bullet, hesitates but ultimately abandons the baby to die. These moments, fleeting but searing, are handled with stark restraint, making them all the more powerful.
The film’s cinematography is masterfully claustrophobic, pulling the audience into Farha’s confined world. The limited visuals are complemented by a meticulously crafted sound design, which amplifies the horrors Farha cannot see but must endure. The muffled cries, gunshots, and silence that follow linger long after the credits roll.
A Stellar Central Performance
At the heart of the film is Karem Taher’s exceptional portrayal of Farha. Her nuanced performance captures the character’s transformation from a hopeful, determined girl to a survivor grappling with unspeakable trauma. Taher’s expressions and body language convey a spectrum of emotions—fear, despair, and resilience—without the need for excessive dialogue. Her performance anchors the film, allowing the audience to connect deeply with her plight.
Cinema as Resistance
Critics have accused Farha of drawing parallels to Anne Frank’s story, claiming it unfairly portrays Israeli soldiers as Nazis. These comparisons are reductive and miss the film’s central aim: to shed light on a specific historical atrocity through the eyes of a young girl. Yes, Farha is 14, and yes, she hides in a small space. But her story is uniquely tied to the Palestinian experience, offering a perspective rarely seen in cinema.
An Unforgettable Experience
Farha is not an easy watch, nor is it meant to be. Its raw depiction of survival and loss forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about history and humanity. The film’s closing moments linger, leaving an indelible mark. It’s a tragic but essential piece of cinema, one that shines a light on stories often buried or denied.
A quiet masterpiece, Farha is both a testament to resilience and a somber reminder of the cost of conflict.
