
Title: Once Upon a Time in Gaza
Year: 2025
Running Time: 87′
Country: Palestine
Directed by: Arab Nasser and Tarzan Nasser
Written by: Marie Legrand, Amer Nasser, Arab Nasser and Tarzan Nasser
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay; Majd Eid; Ramzi Maqdisi; Is’haq Elias; Said Saada; Hussein Nakhleh
Review by Guifré Margarit i Contel | 27 June 2025
The key to this film’s success as a great and entertaining piece lies in two elements of its script. The first is its perfect balance between social commentary on the reality of the Palestinian struggle and resistance, and the more fiction-driven narrative in which our three main characters find themselves embroiled. Equally important is its engaging and well-structured storytelling. While non-linear narratives are no longer a novelty, the way this film pieces together its timeline is intelligent, playful, and deeply meaningful, enhancing how we interpret the story once it concludes.
This is further elevated by the excellent performances of the three lead actors, each of whom brings distinct personality traits and emotional depth, reminding us that people are rarely as they appear on the surface. Another standout element, beyond the acting, is the skilful use of score and soundtrack, which draws us even deeper into each scene whenever music is employed.
The only aspect that prevents this film from being practically perfect is the slightly rushed storytelling. While the action and more dynamic scenes are well executed, it’s in the quieter moments that the true emotional weight of the characters’ relationships is revealed. Unfortunately, these scenes are fewer than they should be, suggesting a lack of patience in exploring them more fully, something that would have greatly enhanced the film’s dramatic and tense moments.
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