Overview

• Farah Nabulsi's debut feature, 'The Teacher,' examines life under Israeli military occupation through the intertwined stories of a grieving teacher and his troubled student in the West Bank.
• The film delves into themes of personal loss, resistance, and the value of life, with a subplot inspired by the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange highlighting the imbalanced valuation of lives in conflict.
• Shot on location in the West Bank over three months, the film captures the region's struggles with a charged sense of authenticity and immediacy.
• Critics praise the film’s nuanced portrayal of daily indignities, including home demolitions and settler violence, while also noting its exploration of the emotional bonds that sustain resilience.
• Released in U.S. theaters, the film updates longstanding narratives of occupation with fresh, emotionally resonant storytelling that reflects both historical and present-day realities.