“Occupational Hazards”: A Dark Comedy on Forced Displacement in East Jerusalem

“Occupational Hazards,” directed by Jordanian filmmaker Bassel Ghandour, follows the Al-Qassabi family, a “loud, loving and slightly dysfunctional” Palestinian household in East Jerusalem. The narrative centers on the family’s struggle to prevent their home from being demolished amid Israeli excavations tied to the “City of David” project, a campaign critics describe as a mechanism for forced displacement. The film blends satire with the stark reality of housing insecurity, portraying staying in one’s home as an act of defiance.

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The story draws directly from ongoing demolition campaigns targeting historic neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. Israeli authorities have framed the excavations as archaeological research, while Palestinian advocates argue the work masks a systematic effort to displace residents. The film’s setting reflects a broader pattern of contested sovereignty and urban planning that has intensified over the past decade.

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• Hiam Abbass – Internationally recognized actress (Marcia Roy in HBO’s *Succession*) portraying the family matriarch.

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• Yumna Marwan – Lebanese actress known for *The Veil*.

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• Daboor – Jerusalem-based Palestinian rapper appearing as himself.

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• Nabil Al Raee – Palestinian actor from *The Teacher* and *200 Meters*.

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• Wardi Eilabouni – Emerging talent from Annemarie Jacir’s *Palestine 36*.

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• Matt Lieb & Daniel Maté – U.S. comedy-podcast duo “Bad Hasbara.”

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• Yaffa Bakri – Actress from *Palestine 36*.

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Production is led by Jordanian producer Rula Nasser (Imaginarium Films). Development support came from the U.K.’s British Film Institute (BFI) and producer Charlotte Knowles. Financial backing includes Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fund, Qatar’s Doha Film Institute, the Film Committee at Media City Qatar, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), and the Jordan Film Fund.

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By employing dark comedy, the film seeks to shift Palestinian cinema away from exclusively tragic narratives toward a more nuanced portrayal that highlights resilience and ingenuity. Its focus on a family’s “cleverness” in navigating bureaucratic absurdities offers a fresh lens on a contentious geopolitical issue, potentially influencing both regional audiences and international perceptions of the displacement debate.

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Hiam Abbass expressed immediate attraction to the script, citing its blend of humor and harsh reality. She highlighted the collaborative atmosphere on set and praised Ghandour’s openness to artistic input while maintaining narrative control. Director Bassel Ghandour noted that Palestinian stories are often framed through pain, and he aims to break that pattern with a satirical approach that challenges the established canon of Palestinian film.

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• “I was immediately drawn to the story, specifically the intelligent and authentic humour, despite the harshness of the situation,” — Hiam Abbass, Actress

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• “Working with Bassel was incredibly refreshing, especially his openness to collaborating in the artistic process of creating the character, while being in control of his subject. This film gathered an incredible group of people, cast and crew. There was a sense of fraternity; we all felt like we were a part of something special.” — Hiam Abbass, Actress

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• “Palestinian stories have often been told through a lens of pain and suffering, and with good reason, there’s plenty of both,” — Bassel Ghandour, Director

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• “But with ‘Occupational Hazards,’ we hope to offer something different: to break away from the dramas that have traditionally shaped the canon of Palestinian cinema.” — Bassel Ghandour, Director

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• “The film finds dark comedy in the impossible situation they’re left in — where staying home is itself an act of defiance, and where the system’s absurdity is matched only by the family’s cleverness in navigating it,” — Film Synopsis, *Occupational Hazards*

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Distribution channels and festival premiere dates remain undecided. The producers are evaluating potential partnerships to ensure the film reaches both regional and global audiences, with the aim of securing a slot at major international festivals later in 2026.

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