What It’s About
As the war in Gaza erupts, filmmaker Farsi wants to capture events there but gets blocked at every turn. (She knows how it feels to be oppressed in one’s own country, having been jailed in her native Iran). She hears about Fatima Hassouna, a 25-year-old poet trapped in Gaza with her large family. Farsi and Fatima connect and form a deep bond over regular video calls, often broken up by bad reception. Through them, we witness Hassouna’s grace and courage under unspeakable pressure.
Why We Love It
Director Farsi pulls off the tricky premise of creating a touching, riveting full-length documentary comprised mostly of grainy cellphone footage. The audience is held mainly due to Hassouna’s radiant, transfixing presence. An essential goodness emanates from her. She and her family should not be in this position; they’ve done nothing wrong. We share Farsi’s concern and affection for her as conditions worsen. “Put Your Soul On Your Hand” is a heartrending, but essential, watch. God bless Fatima Hassouna!