Documentary "The Belle from Gaza" Screens at Cannes
Yolande Zauberman’s documentary film "The Belle from Gaza" will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday. The film captures the lives of trans women who have moved from Palestine to Tel Aviv. Despite initial hesitations following the escalation of conflict in the region, Zauberman chose to proceed with the screening after positive feedback from both Arab and Jewish viewers during test showings.
Zauberman, known for her César award-winning film "M," began this project after encountering several Arab trans women in Tel Aviv, many of whom had escaped difficult conditions in Gaza. The documentary spans nearly five years of filming and explores the complexities of their lives; it addresses both the liberation and continued vulnerabilities experienced by these women in a city where male-to-female sex reassignment surgery is publicly performed, yet where societal acceptance remains fraught.
The story of the titular "Belle from Gaza" remains elusive throughout the documentary, serving instead as a focal point around which the broader narrative unfolds. Zauberman underscores that the film, which features minimal narration, aims to give voice to the trans women themselves rather than making a political statement.
The screening of "The Belle from Gaza" occurs against a backdrop of tension, with critiques noted about the absence of Palestinian filmmakers in the festival's official selection, and pre-emptive bans on protests around the event.