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Alam

Name: Alam
Director: Firas Khoury
Released: 2022
Duration: 109 min

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

2022

Director

Firas Khoury

Runtime

109 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Alam is a sophisticated study of identity politics that intersects personal coming-of-age stories with systemic historical conflict. It succeeds by dismantling conventional celebratory narratives in favor of a underrepresented perspective. The film's primary strength lies in its centering of Palestinian Arab identity and the specific experiences of those remaining after Al-Nakba. It moves beyond individual merit to explore the pressures of occupation and heritage. However, the film lacks visible LGBTQ+ representation and does not provide information regarding disability inclusion, leaving those specific demographic areas unaddressed.

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Category Breakdown

Does Alam have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story focuses on heterosexual teenage development through Tamer’s attraction to Maysaa. There are no visible queer characters or non-cisgender identities in the story.

How does Alam portray gender?

Good

Maysaa serves as the intellectual and ideological driver of the plot, subverting traditional gender clichés. She acts as the catalyst for political awakening rather than being a passive figure.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Alam?

Excellent

The film provides exceptional representation by centering a Palestinian Arab cast. It offers a nuanced look at the 'stayees' and their struggle for sovereignty and identity.

How does Alam represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story critiques state-sanctioned narratives by framing Independence Day as a day of mourning. It prioritizes the lived experience of displacement and historical trauma.

Does Alam include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities within the provided narrative details.

Present on Screen

Centers Palestinian Arab identity and the specific experiences of those remaining after Al-Nakba.
Subverts traditional gender clichés by making a female character the primary driver of political and ideological action.
Provides a nuanced critique of state-sanctioned narratives and historical displacement.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible representation of LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities.
Provides no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Despite being part of a young generation of Palestinian Arabs whose families chose to stay and challenge the Israeli state after Al-Nakba, 17-year-old Tamer and his friends are just like any other group of teenage boys. They clumsily search for drugs, flirt with girls, play video games, and slack off at school. However, when a beautiful new student named Maysaa’ joins their class Tamer immediately falls for her and, by association, is drawn into her political activism. Together they join fellow classmate, Safwat, in an operation to covertly raise the Palestinian flag and peacefully disrupt the local celebrations planned for Israel’s Independence Day – otherwise known to Palestinians as a day of mourning and memorialization for their displacement 70 years prior. Unsure of his own political convictions, Tamer must quickly determine what matters to him and what price he is willing to pay for freedom.

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