All That's Left of You

Grand, sweeping epics with stories spanning many years (if not decades) have long been a staple of the movie industry, typically capturing numerous awards and big box office tallies, even though their popularity has slowly been waning somewhat in recent years. However, the third feature outing from actress-writer-director Cherien Dabis represents a return to that tradition, and in impressive fashion. Set in Palestine and told in four acts from 1948 to 2022, the film follows the experiences of three generations of the Hammad family from the time of Israel’s establishment to the recent past. The picture chronicles the struggles these individuals face in the wake of the confiscation of their and their peers’ lands and properties in Jaffa (now Haifa), their relocation to remote refugee camps, and the ongoing oppression imposed on them in their daily lives by Israeli authorities. It also poignantly depicts the anguishing decisions associated with questions of compliance vs. reprisal, the high costs of fighting back, and the pain of loss in the face of those harsh conditions. But, if all that weren’t enough, the film also examines the hard choices that flow from such dire circumstances, tough decisions involving ethics, deeply held spiritual considerations and secular practicality, particularly in the areas of compassion and, potentially, the lives and deaths of loved ones and innocent though hated enemies. While the story’s pacing could use some modest accelerating in a few stretches, this otherwise-masterfully constructed offering generally moves along smoothly, maintaining a steady flow across nine decades and doing so with heartfelt emotion and gripping drama, especially in its tearful third act. Through it all, the narrative continually yet sensitively raises the question, “Can any good come out of such devastating heartache?” and, if so, “What form will it ultimately take, and is the cost truly worth it?” The filmmaker addresses these issues through a sharply penned screenplay and smartly conceived narrative, fleshed out through the excellent performances of its superbly assembled ensemble, particularly Dabis, Muhammad Abed Elrahman, Maria Zreik, and Saleh, Mohammad and Adam Bakri. It’s virtually inconceivable that anyone could walk away from this release without being profoundly affected, particularly since it accomplishes this goal rather unobtrusively, never becoming overhearing or resorting to heavy-handed manipulation. For its efforts, the picture has earned a well-deserved Independent Spirit Award nomination for best international film, along with wins and nominations at numerous film festivals. “All That’s Left of You” is one of those releases bound to leave a deep and lasting impression on viewers – and deservedly so. No matter where one stands on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this is a film more about humanity than politics and the inherent need to dutifully honor and respect it – regardless of one’s nationality or ethnicity.