The Most Powerful Film From Gaza We’ve Ever Made
I’m not talking about the Bisan documentary. That one gets a lot of attention, and rightly so. The world wouldn’t know what’s happening in Gaza without voices like hers. She’s the bravest journalist I’ve ever worked with.
But for me personally, Ahmad Alive is the most powerful story I’ve ever helped tell. Because I have history with him.
Ahmad first messaged me eight years ago. A young dreamer from Gaza who wanted to be a travel vlogger. But that’s a terrible dream job for a Palestinian because he didn’t have a passport that allowed him to travel. To leave Gaza, he needed Israel’s permission. That’s why it’s called the world’s largest open-air prison.
But he didn’t give up. If he couldn’t travel the world, he’d travel Gaza. And he did. He filmed its food, fashion, mosques and markets. Despite the occupation, he captured the beauty of Gaza so people could fall in love with it. I’m glad he captured all the historical sites, because Israel flattened most of it now.
We worked with him for years. Telling stories together. But we never met. I couldn’t get in. He couldn’t get out.
Then, two weeks after October 7, he messaged, this time with a request I’ll never forget. He wanted to transfer all the money from his bank account to mine. I live in Australia. We’ve never met in person.
I asked, “Why are you sending money to us? We’re trying to send money to you.”
He said: “Because I don’t think anyone in my family is going to survive this. If I die, give it to my mother. If she dies, give it to my sister. If she dies, give it to Palestine.”
That was the first time I understood what genocide truly means. The idea that your entire society is being wiped out. Ethnic cleansing.
Ahmad never wanted to be a war journalist. That was my dream, not his. He just wanted to film beautiful things. But Israel gave him no choice. He put on a press helmet and documented the genocide of his people.
Somehow, he kept filming. Even when a bomb came through his roof. His phone was his only power. His only way to say: “Hi, it’s Ahmad. I’m Alive.”
Ahmad Alive has now toured the UK, US, Canada, and South Africa. Shot on a phone by one man in Gaza, it might be the most raw, human, and honest film you’ll ever see.
It’s now available exclusively on Substack for our Founding members, not just to watch, but to screen. To sit in rooms with those in the movable middle. To show them a Gaza the news never will.
Ahmad’s story is a lesson in what it means to resist with nothing but your voice and your phone.
Become a Founding Member to help us make more films like this.
The Bisan documentary is also available online to Founding Members.
But if you ask me which film changed me forever? It’s this one