Once Upon a Time in Gaza

Once Upon a Time in Gaza

Director: Tarzan Nasser, Arab Nasser
Country: Palestine, Germany, Portugal, France

2025 | 90 min. | Arabic
Subtitles: German, English

Cast_ Nader Abd Alhay, Ramzi Maqdisi, Majd Eid Screenplay_ Tarzan Nasser, Arab Nasser Camera_ Christophe Graillot Producer_ Rani Massalha, Marie Legrand, Muriel Merlin, Rashid Abdelhamid Rights_ Red Balloon Film

A warm-hearted, satirical and authentic portrait of Gaza City. A hilarious look at life in a place where stability is nowhere to be found.

Gaza, 2007: A young student named Yahya befriends his charismatic boss, Osama. Osama has a big heart, but is notorious for his run-ins with the police: in particular, with a high-ranking cop and his inflated ego. Using their falafel delivery service to deal drugs doesn’t help matters either. The conflict escalates, but at least it doesn’t stop one of the friends from pursuing an absurd career of starring in B movies.

A captivatingly authentic portrait of Gaza City without stereotypes or exaggerations, somewhere between being a thriller, a buddy movie and a comedy. Full of love for the history of cinema.

Director

The twin brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser were born in Gaza City in 1988. Their first feature film, ›Dégradé‹, was invited to the Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival. Their second film, ›Gaza mon Amour‹, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was Palestine’s submission to the Oscars in 2021. ›Once upon a Time in Gaza‹ caused a sensation at Cannes again this year.

Trailer

Screenings