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The Encampments

The Encampments

2025

Director

Michael T Workman, Kei Pritsker

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Students flooded Columbia University’s lawn to create the Gaza Solidarity Encampment in order to pressure their university to divest from the US and Israeli weapons companies. The film follows the central organizers of the encampment as they are thrust into the spotlight, face violent police repression and suspension, congressional pressure, and a media firestorm, all while fighting to attain their goal of divestment at any cost.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

7.1/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film focuses on geopolitical and student-led activism rather than queer-centric storylines. While the protest movement inherently includes diverse identities, specific LGBTQ+ character arcs are not explicitly detailed.

Gender Representation

Good

The narrative centers female agency by highlighting organizers like Sueda Polat and Maya Abdallah. These women are depicted as central drivers of a movement facing intense systemic and congressional pressure.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The film shows an exceptional commitment to intersectional representation. By centering the Palestinian experience and voices like Mahmoud Khalil and Bisan Owda, it prioritizes a non-Anglo-Saxon majority.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The documentary functions as a critique of Western hegemony and institutional authority. It prioritizes social justice frameworks by framing student organizers as protagonists fighting against state and corporate interests.

Disability Representation

Fair

There is no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of neurodivergence or physical disabilities. It remains unclear if disability is treated with agency or as a central narrative element.

Strengths

  • Exceptional centering of Palestinian voices and non-Anglo-Saxon perspectives.
  • Strong emphasis on female agency within high-stakes political leadership roles.
  • A profound critique of Western institutional authority and capitalist structures.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of explicit detail regarding LGBTQ+ character arcs or queer identities.
  • Insufficient evidence of representation for neurodivergent or physically disabled individuals.

AI Analysis

The Encampments excels by centering marginalized voices and deconstructing traditional institutional authority. Its strength lies in its radical commitment to racial and cultural intersectionality, moving beyond Western-centric perspectives to amplify the Palestinian experience. However, the film's focus on high-stakes political conflict leaves little room for specific explorations of LGBTQ+ or disability identities. These categories remain largely unaddressed or lack explicit narrative agency within the current documentation. Ultimately, the documentary serves as a powerful tool for social justice, using the Gaza Solidarity Encampment to challenge systemic power dynamics and provide a platform for students of color.

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