Palestine 36 Australian cinema release set for August — Annemarie Jacir’s historical drama Palestine 36 will open in Australian cinemas on 27 August, following sold-out screenings at Sydney Film Festival.
The film tells personal stories behind the 1936-1939 Arab revolt against British colonial rule. The uprising became the longest anti-colonial revolt in the history of the British Empire.
Jacir, whose previous films include Wajib and When I Saw You, made Palestine 36 under extraordinary production conditions. According to the release, it is the only feature film shot in Palestine in the last two years.
Production was forced to shut down and temporarily relocate to Jordan because of the conflict in Palestine. As a result, the film arrives with a significant story behind the camera as well as on screen.
Watch The Official Trailer
About Palestine 36
Palestine 36 is described as an intimate yet sweeping historical drama. The story follows Yusuf as he moves between his rural home and the restless energy of Jerusalem.
In 1936, villages across Mandatory Palestine rise against British colonial rule. Yusuf is caught between the world he knows and a future being fought for.
As the revolt spreads, the British Empire tightens its grip. Meanwhile, an ensemble of ordinary people are drawn into a defining moment that will shape the region for generations.
The story includes farmers, dreamers, dockworkers and families. Together, their choices form a portrait of a people’s struggle for freedom in the shadow of empire.
Cast And Production
Palestine 36 features a cast of British and Palestinian actors. The ensemble includes Jeremy Irons, Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Yasmine Al Massri, Robert Aramayo and Billy Howle.
Karim Daoud Anaya also appears in his screen debut as Yusuf.
The film was Palestine’s official submission for the 98th Academy Awards. It was also included in the Academy shortlist for Best International Feature.
Palestine 36 will release in Australian cinemas on 27 August, 2026.
For more movie preview coverage, visit TV Central’s Movie Previews section. For more information about the film, visit the official Palestine 36 website.
