The 97th Academy Awards are promising to be an eventful occasion, as From Ground Zero, a Palestinian anthology film, finds its way into the shortlist for Best International Feature Film. It is a poignant moment for Palestinian cinema, as the film depicts the human cost of the Israel-Palestine conflict through a tapestry of 22 distinct narratives.
A collective of diverse Palestinian filmmakers has made an anthology called From Ground Zero, a film that brings together genres like documentary, animation, fiction, and experimentation in order to create survival stories, loss, and resilience in Gaza. It was shown worldwide at the 5th Amman International Film Festival in July and also received much appreciation in North America when it screened at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival in September.
A Narrative Beyond Headlines
Images’ Author Narendra Pachkhédé wrote of the film: “An urgent, intimate glimpse into the human toll of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, far beyond the scope of news bulletins.” Every one of the segments in the anthology provides raw, deeply personal insights into the lives of those living under siege, so it is a strong cultural and political statement.
Other Contenders Shine Across Categories
Meanwhile, the Oscars shortlists unveiled contenders across 10 categories, giving a glimpse into this year’s cinematic diversity. Among the highlights is The Bibi Files, an American documentary featuring leaked footage from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trials, which vies for Best Documentary Feature.
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Musicals and international collaborations also marked their presence. The blockbuster adaptation of Wicked, featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, bagged four nominations in makeup and hairstyling, sound, visual effects, and original score. Likewise, Emilia Pérez, a feature starring Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana, secured six nominations, demonstrating its all-around appeal.
Pakistan’s The Glassworker Misses the Cut
It’s a triumph for Palestinian storytelling at the Oscars with From Ground Zero in the Best International Feature category. Usman Riaz’s The Glassworker, an animated film from Pakistan, will not be making it to the shortlist.
The 97th Oscars, hosted by the Emmy-winning comedian Conan O’Brien, will be live-broadcasted from Los Angeles’s Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025. Meanwhile, the world waits in suspense to discover the outcome, From Ground Zero stands as a testament to art’s resilience against adversities, amplifying a voice often drowned out amidst the global noise.
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