The Belle from Gaza begins with a local myth, a tale akin to One Thousand and One Nights, whispered in the darkened streets of southern Tel Aviv as night falls and transgender women engaged in sex work emerge to ply their trade. During her visits to Israel, French director Yolande Zauberman frequents these shadowy areas, driven by curiosity. With a listening ear and a camera, she captures their stories and personal experiences, leading her to the legend of the Belle from Gaza.
This mythical figure is said to have fled her home, crossed the security fence and walked all the way to central Israel, where she found refuge. The Belle from Gaza trailer ( Video: Pyramide Distribution ) Though this legendary character lends her name to the film, she never actually appears in it. Zauberman does not find her but, in her search, encounters Arab transgender women who share the harsh realities of their lives both at home and at work.
The Belle from Gaza (La Belle de Gaza) recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival outside of competition, sparking a discussion that demands a deeper understanding beyond the usual political discourse, especially in light of the events of October 7 and the ongoing war in Gaza. "Today nuance is subversive, nuance is radical," Zauberman tells Ynet. The problematic timing of the movie's release increases general curiosity about the film, but also anchors it in the inflammatory and violent news context between pro-Palestinians and pro-Israelis, anti-Zionists .
