Self-Released: No Other Land Documentary Sheds Light on Israeli Settler Violence in the West Bank
The award-winning documentary "No Other Land" is set to be self-released on various U.S. streaming platforms starting October 20. The film sheds light on the Israeli settler violence and Palestinian displacement in the Masafer Yatta region of the occupied West Bank. All proceeds from video-on-demand (VOD) sales will directly benefit Palestinian communities in the area.
Initially, the No Other Land team had negotiated a streaming deal with distributor Mubi, but they decided to reject the agreement due to Mubi's connection with Sequoia, a U.S. venture capital firm. The filmmakers felt that partnering with a company linked to Israeli military tech startup Kela, founded by Israeli military intelligence veterans, contradicted the message of their film.
Despite facing challenges with mainstream streamers and buyers, No Other Land successfully self-distributed theatrically in the U.S., generating $2.5 million in revenue. The filmmakers opted against arthouse theatrical offers and chose to self-release the film on streaming platforms in the U.S.
While Mubi has licensed No Other Land in select European countries, the film's self-release in the U.S. aims to reach a wider audience and raise awareness about the ongoing settler violence in the West Bank. The documentary, created by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, highlights the destruction in Masafer Yatta and the unlikely alliance between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist.
"No Other Land" premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and went on to win the Oscar for Documentary Feature. The film's powerful narrative continues to resonate, especially in light of recent events, such as the tragic death of Awdah Hathaleen, a collaborator on the film, who was shot and killed by an Israeli settler two months ago. The self-release on U.S. streaming platforms aims to amplify the voices of those affected by the Israeli occupation and promote dialogue on the pressing issues depicted in the documentary.