Surviving the Storm: Discover the Gripping Tale of 'All That’s Left of You'

In the realm of impactful cinema, “All That’s Left of You” emerges as a powerful narrative crafted by Cherien Dabis, a Palestinian-American filmmaker. Released in January 2025, this film takes audiences on a profound historical journey through the Nakba (1948) to contemporary Palestine. It tells the poignant story of a single family, shedding light on the struggles faced by a people whose existence has been marginalized by Zionist forces.

Featuring the talented Saleh Bakri, “All That’s Left of You” presents a multigenerational depiction of a Palestinian family whose lives have been profoundly affected by exile, dispossession, and the enduring repercussions of these historical events. The film opens dramatically with a bullet striking a Palestinian teenager during a protest in 1988, prompting his mother, Hanan (played by Dabis), to reflect on their family’s tumultuous past — from the grandfather’s expulsion from his homeland to the lingering effects of life in refugee camps on subsequent generations.

Among its significant accolades, the film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and was selected as Jordan’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.

The Tehran Times had the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Cherien Dabis, covering various aspects of her film and creative process:

Looping Narrative Structure: Dabis chose a non-linear storytelling method to portray 75 years of occupation history, beginning with a powerful visual that resonates with viewers.
Challenges During Filming: The production faced significant obstacles after evacuating Palestine in October 2023, especially concerning the local crew and the logistics of continuing the film in other locations.
Personal Trauma Influences: Dabis shared her own childhood experiences with Israeli soldiers, emphasizing how these memories shaped her desire to tell Palestinian stories authentically.
Support from Executive Producers: Renowned actors Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo became involved as executive producers, drawn to the film’s vital narrative during its Sundance premiere.
Censorship Challenges: Dabis discussed the broader issues of censorship and the undervaluation of Palestinian narratives in global cinema, stressing the need for accountability within the industry.

In the interview, Dabis elaborated on her creative choices:

“I wanted to start the film with an iconic moment — a familiar image we see often in the news — that of a Palestinian teenager at a protest. We’ve watched Palestinians protesting for decades, but I’m not sure much of the world knows what we’re fighting for and why. I wanted to start the film with this iconic image and then tell people how that teenager ended up at that protest and how his family ended up in a refugee camp. That’s a story too few people know, because the Palestinian narrative has been denied, erased, and censored.”

She emphasized the significance of using a violent encounter as a narrative device, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with the family’s journey. Dabis stated, “Focusing the film on the story of the son and his violent encounter allowed me to more easily choose the moments in time that we highlight in the film, because everything that we show going back in time is to explain who the teenager is and why he’s at this protest.”

Reflecting on the challenges faced during filming, Dabis revealed, “We prepped in Palestine for nearly five months before having to evacuate in October 2023. We were only two weeks away from shooting… The most devastating thing about fleeing was leaving our Palestinian crew behind.”

She spoke candidly about the emotional toll of creating a film under such tumultuous conditions, noting, “The hardest part for me was that we found ourselves making a movie about what was happening as it was happening. Life and art seemed to merge in this very surreal way, and it made for an intense, emotionally draining experience.”

Dabis also addressed the impact of her personal experiences on her storytelling, describing a traumatic event from her childhood: “It was my first memory of traveling to Palestine. My family was held at the border between Jordan and the West Bank for 12 hours. The soldiers interrogated my parents… I was convinced they were going to kill him.”

This memory heavily influenced the emotional depth of “All That’s Left of You,” particularly highlighting the psychological impacts of political violence on families. Dabis expressed her desire to explore how historical events shape personal and familial relationships.

When asked about the involvement of Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo, Dabis shared her excitement: “We had the hottest time slot of the festival — Saturday night at the Eccles Theater… We got two standing ovations… Despite all of this, within press and industry circles, the film still didn’t get the attention it deserved.”

She raised concerns about the broader patterns of censorship affecting Palestinian narratives and emphasized the need for change, stating, “There’s a much larger pattern at play… to censor or overlook Palestinian voices and narratives.”

Despite these challenges, Dabis remains determined to ensure that “All That’s Left of You” reaches a global audience. She is actively seeking distribution options and building partnerships to promote the film, reflecting her commitment to sharing these vital stories.

In a hopeful closing, Dabis expressed her intention to create narratives that resonate across cultures, hinting at future projects that explore the shared experiences of Palestinians and Iranians, inspired by her personal connections.

Ultimately, “All That’s Left of You” stands as a testament to the resilience of Palestinian voices and the importance of storytelling in the face of adversity, inviting viewers to engage with narratives that have long been marginalized.