How a chance encounter with a sheep inspired a film about Palestinian displacement
Sometimes the best documentaries start out on a whim. When Asmahan Bkerat met the Palestinian Bedouin family at the heart of her debut Concrete Land , she had no idea that eight years later she’d be presenting their story to the world. We’re sitting in Sea Containers hotel, right by the Thames, the day after the UK premiere at the London Film Festival . Just a few seats away are two of her…
Asmahan Bkerat's documentary Concrete Land began as a chance encounter with a Palestinian Bedouin family. At the film's UK premiere, Bkerat presented the story of the Badrya sheep, a key character in the film. The family's struggle for their land threatened by proposed construction became a powerful narrative. The documentary's relevance increased following the October 7, 2023, events and subsequent destruction of Gaza.
The film showcases the displacement and colonization affecting the Bedouin community, which has far-reaching impacts beyond the region. The title, Concrete Land, juxtaposes the sterile and inorganic concrete with the land, highlighting the degradation caused by it. Bkerat faces challenges in sharing the film with the Bedouin community, as there are limited cinemas in Jordan.
She aims to establish the first documentary association in the West Asia and North Africa region to support filmmakers in the area.
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