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The Survivor

Name: The Survivor
Director: Seifollah Dad
Released: 1995
Duration: 144 min

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

1995

Director

Seifollah Dad

Runtime

144 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

That Which Remains is a significant work of historical revisionism that challenges Western-centric narratives. By adapting Ghassan Kanafani’s work, the film centers on the Palestinian struggle and explores systemic displacement within a post-colonial context. The film effectively portrays ability to act amid geopolitical turmoil. It dismantles the stability of traditional institutions by showing how they contribute to the breakdown of the family unit. While the film strongly explores ethnic identity and female strength, it lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disability.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Survivor have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on the family and national struggles of Palestinian characters. There are no LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities shown in the story.

How does The Survivor portray gender?

Good

The story breaks traditional gender roles with a strong grandmother who actively helps the main characters, moving beyond typical submissive female roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Survivor?

Excellent

The film highlights the Palestinian identity and the experiences of a non-Western population. It delves into the complexities of displacement and the human toll of systemic conflict.

How does The Survivor represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative addresses anti-colonial themes and the disruption of community structures. It portrays the protagonists as victims of broader historical forces and external political influences.

Does The Survivor include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or mentioned depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Highlights Palestinian identity and non-Western historical perspectives.
Shows strong women's ability to drive the story through the character of the grandmother.
Engages deeply with anti-colonial themes and systemic displacement.

Limited or Absent

Does not include LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities.
Does not depict physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Based on Ghassan Kanafani's novel, 'Returning to Haifa,' this film, set in 1967, centres on a Palestinian couple who return to the war-torn city to search for their young son Farhan, whom they were forced to abandon when fleeing Zionist acts of terrorism in 1948. Saeed and Atefeh's own house has even been taken over by a Polish Jewish family, who, it transpires, are holding Farhan hostage. It is up to the couple, with the assistance of Farhan's steely grandmother, to find a way to reclaim their lost son. One of the few Iranian films to tackle the Palestinian issue from a historical perspective, this stunning piece of work from Seifollah Daad features meticulous attention to period detail and moving performances.

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