The award-winning Netflix movie Farha is based on a true story. It is backdated to the Palestinian events that occurred in 1948.
The movie portrays the story of a 14-year-old Palestinian girl during the invasion of Palestine society while the establishment of Isreal. The catastrophe led to the permanent displacement of the Arab population by increasing encroachment of Israeli soldiers.
The movie is directed by Jordanian director Darin J. Sallam and drew condemnation from Israeli politicians. Farah premiered at Toronto Film Festival on 14 September whereas Netflix began airing on its platform on December 1.
Is Netflix Movie Farha Based On A True Story?
Farah is based on a true story of a girl from the regions of Palestine invaded by Israeli soldiers.
The Netflix movie depicts love for Palestine and the homeland as seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old girl, Farah. The catastrophic insurgencies in the regions of Palestine in 1948 are remembered as the ‘Nakba’ that destroyed many families and the lives of children.
In this heartbreaking movie, Farha (Karam Taher), who had hoped to complete her studies in the city with her father’s blessing, witnesses her dreams destroyed by the Nakba. Farha’s father (played by Ashraf Barhoum) is the local mayor and wants to marry her off. However, Farah wants to continue her studies and do successful things in life.
Meanwhile, she is waiting for her father’s approval to go study in the city but the Israeli soldiers are already in the village ruining her life and dream. This is a story of an uninvolved observer who was affected by childhood experiences and a storm that destroyed the dream, family, and home.
Farha’s father desires that his daughter remains near them as they wait for the assistance that the Arab League has promised to provide once British forces have left Palestinian villages. He is aware that Farah has the potential and the readiness to learn and study which will benefit them all in the long run.
There are many more Farah living in exile due to Israeli occupation in the Palestinian regions. Farah is one of the true stories representing many such incidents.
What Is Nakba? Movie Depicts 1948 Palestinian Events
Nakba is an Arabic word describing destruction, and catastrophe, particularly in the timeframe of 1948 in the Palestine region.
However, the word is still prevalent for describing the ongoing Israeli occupation of the Palestinians in the West Bank Region and Gaza Strip. Talking about the movie’s plot, Farah is believed to be a true story of a 14-year-old girl from the West Bank Region. People from that region were displaced during, the exodus of 700,000 Palestinians.
Palestinians and Israelis have quite different recollections of the beginning of the Palestinian refugee issue. Israelis typically place the responsibility on Arab armies and unfortunate military events. At the same time, Palestinians view the issue as a years-long intentional Jewish campaign to ethnically cleanse Arabs of Palestine.
Most of the refugees who fled their homes in 1948 demand peace talks and the right to return to their homeland. May 15 is remembered as Nakba day which falls just the day after Israeli independence.
Karam Taher Is Cast As Farah
Karam Taher plays the lead role of 14-year-old Farah in the Netflix movie. She is a Jordanian teen actress with Arab ancestry.
Although Karam faced the camera for the first time, her character Farah performed a remarkable role as a war victim in Palestine. She made the audience feel her anxieties and hardships before she found freedom with tremendous realism.
Farah’s internal turmoil, fear, and worry, bravery, willpower coexist during the uprising war has demonstrated the complete range of human potential and thought processes. As a whole Karam’s character entails the story of thousands of Palestinian women.
Karam is cited for her first move. According to her IMDb profile, she is credited for the TV series On The Scene. Karam shares the popularity of the movie she acted in on her Instagram profile.
In a recent post, @karamtaherr shared a post about a Jordanian nomination for the Oscars with her 8K followers.
Ashraf Barhom Plays Father Of Farah
The role of Father of Farah rightly fits Galilee-born Israeli actor Ashraf Barhom in the Netflix movie Farah.
Alike every traditional father, Mukhtar (the head of the village) dreams about his daughter’s marriage. However, Farah is persistent in going for higher education in the city with her friend Farida. Traditionally girls were married off at an early age. Mukhtar is considering letting her daughter study in the city because Farah is exceptionally good at her studies. In the middle of this household decision-making, British troops leave control over Palestine, and war breaks in.
Mukhtar leaves her daughter locked in the cellar promising to return as soon as he can. Farah is left alone in a crack where she watches her village ruin along with her dreams.
Ashraf Barhom is popular for his role as Colonel Faris Al Ghazi in the movie The Kingdom along with Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper. According to IMDb, he is credited for Clash of the Titans (2010) and Coriolanus (2011).
Barhom was born in an Arab Christian family in Galilee, Israel (January 8, 1979). He grew up in a small village called Tarshiha. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Arts in Theatre and Arts from the University of Haifa.
Tala Gammoh Plays Farida
Tala Gammoh plays the role of the best friend as Farida in the movie Farah.
In the movie, Farida and Farha have dreams to pursue studies in the city. They want to postpone the marriage until their studies are completed. However, best friends are bound to separate due to the ongoing war which has reached the village. Many teenage girls could not follow their dreams due to the conflict in 1948. Farida and Farha are a mere examples of it.
This is the first movie by Tala Gammoh. She has beautifully portrayed her promising character as Farida.
Other important cast of Farha are:
- Ali Suliman by Abu Walid
- Sameera Asir by Um Mohammad
- Majd Eid by Abu Mohammad
- Samuel Kaczorowski by Commander