EXCLUSIVE: Watermelon Pictures has acquired North American distribution rights for Palestinian director Mohamed Jabaly’s documentary Life Is Beautiful about his experiences after he became stranded in Norway in 2014 when Gaza’s borders were shut indefinitely. The distribution agreement, which includes all North American theatrical and ancillary rights, was negotiated in Cannes by Munir Atalla , head of Production and Acquisitionat Watermelon Pictures and Esther van Messel of First Hand Films. Jabaly was attending a film festival in Tromsø in 2014, when the borders to Gaza closed.
Little did he know that it would be seven years before he could see his family again. Related Stories News Alana Hadid Leading Film Label Watermelon Pictures, First Movie Is Palestine Documentary ‘Walled Off’ Documentary Home Is Gaza, But He Became Stranded In Norway: Palestinian Director Mohamed On His IDFA-Winning Documentary ‘Life Is Beautiful’ While waiting for the situation to change, Mohamed’s friends back home tell him to seek asylum or get married to stay in Norway. But Mohamed refuses to give up his Palestinian identity and insists on being recognized for his work.
After being denied a work permit after several appeals, despite his film Ambulance gaining international success, he decides to take his case to court backed by a growing group of supporters. As this unfolds, Mohamed lives a parallel life online, staying connected with family in Gaza. The film won the best director .