The Film That Defined the Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival is a world-renowned platform where groundbreaking films from various cultures are showcased. One film has captured the spotlight and deserves immediate attention: "PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK " directed by Sepideh Farsi. This powerful documentary follows one year in the life of Fatma Hassona, a 25-year-old photographer in Gaza. She was living in one room on the 6th floor of an old building with various members of her family and relatives with barely any necessities. All of the filming was done by FaceTime and texts that often lost signals.

Fatma Hassona in PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK, directed by Sepideh Farsi, produced by Reve d"Eau Productions

On April 15, it was announced that Fatma’s film was set to have its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. It was a moment of celebration, promising recognition and the chance for change. Tragically, just one day later, Fatma and ten of her family members lost their lives in a drone strike in Gaza.

Shocked and heart broken, we were able to see the final film. Fatma's vibrant personality and unbreakable spirit surprises us as she navigates her war-torn surroundings. The title, "PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK," symbolizes when Fatma courageously ventured outside, putting her safety at risk to document the chaos that surrounded her. Her photographs reveal beauty in the midst of destruction, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit when faced with great loss.

Fatma Hassona in PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK, directed by Sepideh Farsi, produced by Reve d"Eau Productions

Gregory von Hausch, Co-Director of the Saint Augustine Film Festival, recognized the film’s significant impact. "The thing that captures your attention immediately is the life and indomitable spirit of Fatma. A person who seems to have nothing in our world, yet conveys nothing but hope and love. Hopefully, it will bring about peace."

PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK is not just a tribute to Fatma Hassona; it is a universal plea for understanding, compassion, and empathy. This film expands our perception of conflict by centering on individual stories rather than the faceless statistics we often encounter. Fatma had hope that the war would end. She said if this war ends, all wars will end.

This film deserves wide distribution promptly, but if not, we plan to have it in the next Saint Augustine Film Festival.

Explore Fatma’s photography through her Instagram account @fatma_hassona2.