A Couch on the Hill

A documentary by François Ducat and Salahaldeen Abunima, 93', 2024

Synopsis

Ala', Ibrahim (15) and Bara'a (19) live in Battir, a rural community of 5,000 inhabitants to the south of Jerusalem. Mostly under Israeli control, its status is unique in the West Bank.

Protected by UNESCO, its territory has remained the same since 1947, and the Israeli separation wall has been annulled by a court ruling. Battir owes these victories to peaceful resistance passed down from generation to generation.

Despite these exceptional achievements, young people hope to study abroad. Here, they fear insecurity and unemployment, all problems that have their roots in an occupation that multiplies prohibitions.

Over several years, the film captures these young Palestinians at a key moment in their development and shows that behind the daily life of this community, seemingly spared by the conflict, lies a struggle against exile, despair, drugs and land confiscation.

Awards / Festivals

  • FIFF Namur - Place au doc belge
  • Cinemamed 2023 (Brussels) - official selection
  • Les Étoiles de la Scan 2024 (Paris)