Controversial Movie about Palestinian Girl "Farha" Screened at Vera

Farha's poster took from its presskit

On October 8th, the center of underground pop culture Vera in Groningen is going to screen "Farha". This movie is about  the establishment of the state of Israel and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian Arabs after the Second World War.

As of next week, it will be exactly one year since  the first Hamas attack against Israel and the beginning of the ongoing war in Israel and the Palestinian lands. Therefore, many associations in Groningen, such as Groningen for Palestine, are organizing events, walks out and protests all over the city.

Vera, Groningen. Viola Duroni

The movie and its controversies

Directed by Darin J. Sallam in 2021, "Farha" is a historical drama based on a true story that shows the experience of a Palestinian girl during the “Nakba”. The “Nakba” is how Palestinians describe the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland, when the state of Israel was established on the land they called their own.

By the time of its release, "Farha" predictably angered some of the Israeli officials. Still, movie streaming service Netflix decided to stream and promote the movie.

"It’s crazy that Netflix decided to stream a movie whose whole purpose is to create a false pretense and incite against Israeli soldiers," declared the former Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman in a statement. At that time, Lieberman also revoked state funding to a local Tel Aviv theatre that was screening the movie.

The screening of "Farha" also created some controversy here in Groningen. Vera's staff mentions on their website that the movie was supposed to be shown at the University of Groningen during the Anti-Apartheid week, but it was canceled by the university, because it was considered inappropriate.

However, according to Vera's staff , “Nakba” is an important event that still persists today. That is why they refuse to participate in “Farha censorship”.

"It's important, the idea behind the movie that is being transmitted in order to show a specific narrative," says Talea Brehm, a girl that is active in the pro-Palestine activism community, and who often attends Vera's events. According to her, screening these kinds of movies is important for the transmission of knowledge about the other side of a very important historical event; the creation of the State of Israel.

"Free Palestine End Genocide" sticker bought in Groningen Market. Viola Duroni

One year since the beginning of Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Since on Monday it will be one year since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas, many protests will be organized in Groningen. For example, there will be a walk out organized by the association Groningen for Palestine next Tuesday at 11 am. For this occasion students are leaving  their classes and to go to Bisan Square: "This a symbolic act of solidarity to highlight the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian workers and people under the settler colonial occupation of Israel," declared the association on its social media profiles.

Francesca Garotta is an Italian student in Groningen, who often participates in protests against the violence in Gaza. "As the tension between Israel and Palestine is increasing every day, next week will be the perfect opportunity to participate in  protests and demonstrations all over the city, in order to show our disappointment about the violence in Gaza ," she says.