We Are People Too
How does it feel to live without freedom? To live knowing death could strike at any second? This documentary reveals how people can endure unimaginable hardships but persevere against the worst obstacles in life. It follows the stories of the Palestinian people, who describe what it is like to grow up under an occupation and live in constant danger. They reflect on their childhood memories, displacement, and some describe their current lives in the United States, where they watch the suffering and genocide of their friends and family on social media. To shed light on the impact of this profound trauma, we invite a neuroscience professor for an expert insight. He provides evidence on how the current events will shape the lives of Palestinians for generations to come and others who show compassion and empathy to the most vulnerable people. Despite all the horrible suffering in the world, we learn about the strength and kindness of the Palestinian people. They show us how faith, compassion, and unity can be used to form a powerful resilience and give hope for a better future.
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Anastasiia TimmerDirector
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Anya BogomazovaDirector
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Anastasiia TimmerProducer
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Anya BogomazovaProducer
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Muhammad MustafaKey Cast
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Junseong ParkEditor
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Ibrahim IsbaitaDirector of Photography
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Project Type:Documentary
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Runtime:31 minutes 58 seconds
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Completion Date:February 5, 2025
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Production Budget:1,100 USD
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Country of Origin:United States, United States
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Country of Filming:United States, Canada, Egypt, Palestine, State of, Turkey, United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
Anya Zova is a film producer, actress, stand-up comedian, and a Kickboxing World Champion. During the past two years, Anya has produced international films, including the documentary “My Year as a Beauty Queen”, filmed across 7 countries. She has created and produced the “Make Laughs Not War” comedy series in 2022, which started in the US and was then launched globally. In 2023, she created an exclusive ongoing comedy series “Masters of Comedy” at the Faena Theater. Anya made her television debut on the NBC's award-winning comedy “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and appeared on the hit CBS series “MacGyver”. She also produced and acted in the TV pilot “Wake Up”.
Dr. Anastasiia Timmer is a professor of Criminology and Justice Studies, film producer, and an award-winning writer based in Los Angeles. Her research focuses on crime and violence in different countries and trauma experienced by vulnerable populations. Anastasiia's work has appeared in top tier journals including Nature Human Behaviour, the British Journal of Criminology and Justice Quarterly. Anastasiia has recently completed the award-winning documentary “Heartless” focused on the Ukrainians’ fight for freedom. She has also acted in several international films, including Leben and Benjamin.
At its heart, this film is a testament to human resilience and unity, a reminder that despite the worst struggles, we are connected by the fundamental longing for dignity, compassion, and freedom. Through the voices of ordinary people from Gaza and the West Bank, we hope viewers not only witness the extraordinary resilience of those enduring unimaginable atrocities but also draw inspiration from their humanity and compassion. Despite the difficulties of filming in Gaza, the immense support from Palestinians and their allies inspired us to create a film that authentically captures their present realities, while sharing stories of trauma with care and context.
From the moment we got acquainted with the Palestinian people, we were struck by their kindness and strength despite their unbearable life conditions. We were deeply moved and inspired by the dreams of Palestinians who long to show the world their humanity and that, like all of us, they simply wish to live, visit, and stay connected to their homeland. Our journey provided us with the opportunity to hear from Palestinians from Gaza, as well as Palestinian diaspora who live in North America, Europe, and Asia. This approach allowed our film to authentically and uniquely represent the voices of the Palestinian people from a wide range of sociocultural backgrounds.
As filmmakers, we wanted to go beyond statistics and facts, capturing the raw and layered emotions of those experiencing war. Through first-hand stories, we explored the complexity of pain, nostalgia, hope, and faith, the emotions that reflect both the unique and universal parts of human experiences.
To deepen the narrative, we worked with a neuroscience scholar to explore how generational trauma shapes Palestinian lives and impacts those in solidarity with them. This added layer of understanding shows the far-reaching impacts of war, displacement, and occupation, while also highlighting the importance of global support and compassion.
We used powerful symbolisms along the narratives of Palestinians, inviting audiences to engage with a deeper meaning of identity, faith, and resistance. The key emerges as a metaphor for empty promises and the ongoing dreams of return, reminding us about the connection between people and their homes. The shift between landscapes represents the fragility of peace, while also revealing the hope for rebirth and regrowth. Protests around the world are a reminder that the power belongs to the people and that the fight for justice, equality, and freedom has no boundaries.
This film is an invitation to see and feel something beyond merely learning about struggle and suffering. It is a space to connect with Palestinians through their childhood memories, their love for their families, and their hopes and dreams for the future where dignity and freedom are not privileges, but rights. We hope that this film inspires diverse audiences to celebrate life, stand in solidarity with each other, and to hold on to hope for a brighter future, even in the midst of the darkest times.