Kamal Aljafari’s “With Hasan in Gaza”: A Raw Glimpse of Early-2000s Gaza

“With Hasan in Gaza” consists of MiniDV camcorder footage captured by Palestinian filmmaker Kamal Aljafari during a two-day visit to Gaza in 2001. The material shows daily life amid demolished houses, mortar fire, and an otherwise more intact urban landscape than present-day Gaza. Aljafari performed all filming, sound recording, and in-camera editing, resulting in an ultra-raw aesthetic that emphasizes unmediated observation over conventional documentary polish.

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The footage was recorded shortly after the onset of the Second Intifada (2000), a period marked by intensified Israeli-Palestinian clashes and heightened restrictions on movement. In 2001, foreign journalists and aid workers could still enter Gaza, allowing Aljafari to document scenes that later became inaccessible due to tightened blockades and extensive reconstruction.

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Kamal Aljafari, a Palestinian filmmaker previously imprisoned during the First Intifada (1989-1990), serves as the film’s primary creator. He traveled with guide Hasan Elboubou, who is credited as a collaborator. The central narrative thread follows Aljafari’s search for his friend Abdel, a former inmate whose whereabouts remain uncertain throughout the film.

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• Format: MiniDV camcorder recordings

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• Running time: 1 hour 46 minutes

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• Language: Arabic with English subtitles

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Aljafari opted for a “conceived by” credit rather than a traditional director designation, signaling an intent to foreground collective authorship. The filmmaker deliberately retained the footage’s unedited takes, side-angled shots, and occasional off-frame dialogue to preserve the immediacy of the moment.

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Reviewers note that the film’s experimental texture offers valuable documentary evidence of Gaza at a pivotal historical moment. However, critics argue that the allusive approach—leaving much context implicit until the final half-hour—diminishes the urgency of the subject. The raw aesthetic is praised for its authenticity, yet some view the lack of professional cinematography as a missed opportunity to convey the gravity of life under siege.

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• “With Hasan in Gaza” is composed of MiniDV camcorder footage that the Palestinian filmmaker Kamal Aljafari took in Gaza over two days in 2001, when outsiders were still able to visit. — NYT reviewer, *The New York Times*

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• Aljafari, who takes a “conceived by” credit instead of listing himself as director, leaves much of this implicit until the last half-hour, when substantial stretches of onscreen text describe his incarceration. — NYT reviewer, *The New York Times*

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• “On the other hand, a haunting scene surveys the photos and stuffed animals in an empty bedroom while artillery goes off in the background.” — NYT reviewer, *The New York Times*

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• “Children appear fascinated by Aljafari’s camcorder and cheerfully interact with it.” — NYT reviewer, *The New York Times*

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• “His decision to leave the footage in an ultra-raw form gives ‘With Hasan in Gaza’ an experimental quality, but also makes the film feel like a missed opportunity.” — NYT reviewer, *The New York Times*

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• “Aljafari’s allusive approach seems ill-matched with the urgency of his subject matter.” — NYT reviewer, *The New York Times*

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The film illustrates how minimalist production can capture volatile environments while raising questions about the balance between artistic experimentation and journalistic responsibility. Its unfiltered style may influence future creators seeking to document conflict zones without extensive crew support.

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“With Hasan in Gaza” is slated for limited theatrical releases in major U.S. cities and will be available on select streaming platforms later in 2026, expanding access to its archival footage of early-2000s Gaza.

New York Times