‘All That’s Left Of You’: Sundance Review

Dir/scr: Cherien Dabis. Germany/Cyprus. 2025. 145mins

That you simply can not perceive the current with out understanding the previous is the guiding philosophy of Cherien Dabis’ bold household saga All That’s Left Of You. Dabis illuminates a long time of Palestinian historical past via the story of a single household marked by exile, loss and trauma. Missing nuance in its early phases, it matures right into a extra thought-about, shifting story that successfully blends the non-public and the political. The well timed subject material and emotional impression ought to tempt worldwide arthouse distributors following its Sundance Premieres bow.

Illuminates a long time of Palestinian historical past via the story of a single household

Palestinian-American Dabis beforehand directed Amreeka (2009) and Might In The Summer time (2013) and has labored extensively in American tv (Empire, The Sinner, Ozark and so forth), receiving an Emmy nomination for steering an episode of Solely Murders In The Constructing. That have exhibits right here, in her assured dealing with of tempo, craft and an intricate narrative. Set to movie in Jaffa, Dabis needed to withdraw two weeks into pre-production when the October 2023 assaults occurred. Capturing was moved to Cyprus, Greece and Jordan, and the result’s a handsomely mounted movie.

Dabis begins the household historical past in 1988 as teenager Noor (Muhammad Abed Elrahman) is caught up within the occupied West Financial institution protests in opposition to Israeli troopers. We then see into the long run as his aged mom Hanan (performed by Dabis) stares immediately into the digital camera and tells each an unseen character and the viewers that they will solely comprehend Noor’s life by understanding the story of his grandfather, Sharif. The story then shifts to 1948, when the younger Sharif (Adam Bakri) is surrounded by the scent of oranges from the groves in his household dwelling at Jaffa. The creation of the State Of Israel on Palestine land sends his spouse and kids into exile, however Sharif stays till the Israeli authorities arrive to say his home and occupy his land. Sharif is arrested, imprisoned and starved, fuelling his resentment of the Israelis.

In 1978, the older Sharif (Mohammad Bakri) lives together with his son Salim (Saleh Bakri), Salim’s spouse and their youngsters, together with his younger grandson Noor (then performed by Sanad Alkabareti). Tv information studies on President Carter’s makes an attempt to convey peace to the Center East, whereas every day life remains to be a routine of humiliation and repression. Salim is drained of hope and pleasure, and Noor is rising into an indignant younger man. 

The early phases of All That’s Left Of You really feel blunt and devoid of subtlety. On a regular basis conversations flip into heartfelt speeches and Israeli characters are solely seen carrying weapons, barking orders and treating the Palestinians as lower than human. Historical past always repeats as lives unfold on the mercy of checkpoints, curfews and arbitrary guidelines. Injustice snowballs down the generations.

When Dabis circles again to 1988 and divulges the destiny of Noor, it turns into a extra considerate and compelling movie. Sudden developments create a state of affairs demanding troublesome selections and the likelihood that nothing in life is completely reduce and dried. What had appeared a really black and white narrative begins to seek out fascinating shades of gray, even reaching for some sense of therapeutic. Dabis cleverly brings the whole lot full circle in a sleek, warmhearted finale that renders the movie ever extra endearing.

Inside a well-chosen ensemble, Salah Alden Mai because the younger Salim and Sanad Alkabaretri because the younger Noor seize all of the vitality, cheek and important spark of those boys. Members of the Bakri appearing dynasty are additionally completely solid, with Saleh Bakri conveying the weary anguish of Salim’s wrestle to transcend the disgrace and struggling visited upon him.