‘A Gaza Weekend’ is an irreverent satire that follows refugees from Israel escaping a pandemic lockdown by sneaking into Palestine.
Some politics have been at play for generations, resulting in long and complex histories, as well as strong opinions one way or another. Yet, those same characteristics that can make something difficult to discuss or debate also makes it a ripe subject for humour. It’s not necessary to incorporate the nuances of the arguments, but rather understanding the general concepts can make for a witty comedy that will have a wide appeal. In A Gaza Weekend, an Israeli and her partner must sneak into Palestine to escape a rising deadly threat.
An error at a biological lab results in the release of a COVID-type virus in Israel. While they’ve been able to restrict the sickness within the country’s borders, those that are asymptomatic want to leave before they contract the illness, including Keren’s (Mouna Hawa) English partner, Michael (Stephen Mangan), who is desperate to get out. When plan A fails, Michael’s colleague presents a plan B — smuggle themselves into Gaza, where they can then find transport into Egypt or Europe. Aiding in this plot are a couple of Palestinian hustlers, Waleed (Adam Bakri) and Emad (Loai Nofi), who are desperate for a big payday after the failure of another of their many business schemes. But between Waleed’s wife and his cop neighbour, keeping the couple’s presence a secret may be more trouble than it’s worth.
Keren and Michael don’t agree on where they should wait out the storm. She wishes to stay in a her home country, where she can be close to her father who’s health is in decline. He wants to get out as fast as possible, having no comprehension of her loyalty to the country. Thus, asking her to go with him to Gaza and put her life in the hands of a Palestinian is inconceivable and a hilarious role reversal. She’s convinced they’ll be turned over to Hamas as soon as they cross the border and flinches anytime someone mentions the word – especially their hosts since it’s the only word she can pick out of their conversations.
British-Palestinian writer-director Basil Khalil presents a cheeky satire that is very aware of the irony at the film’s centre. The humour is inherent to the situation, which is just ridiculous enough to entertain without alienating audiences. After all, who would’ve ever thought of the Gaza Strip as “the safest place in the world”? Keren is fiery, frequently refusing to follow the instructions meant to preserve their freedom and keep them alive, which leads to petty bickering at inopportunely funny moments. Waleed and Emad are clumsy and not at all equipped to smuggle the couple out after their escape makes national news. Moreover, to make things more difficult (and more comical), Emad is a coward and is constantly looking for a way out of the deal — even when they’re in the middle of executing the plan.
A Gaza Weekend had its world premiere in the Discovery programme at the Toronto International Film Festival and was awarded the 2022 FIPRESCI Prize.
Read other reviews from the festival.
Director: Basil Khalil
Starring: Stephen Mangan, Adam Bakri and Mouna Hawa
