Key facts
- Palestinian director Hosam Abu Dan's film "Thirteen in Gaza" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
- The film tells the story of Raghad, a 13-year-old girl in Gaza dealing with puberty.
- Abu Dan stated it was important to tell the story from a Gazan perspective.
- Filming took 12 days with a small crew due to logistical constraints.
- Abu Dan spoke to Reuters from Gaza, unable to travel to Toronto for the premiere.
- The director expressed pride in creating a meaningful film that reminds people Gaza deserves life and dreams.
Palestinian director Hosam Abu Dan's drama "Thirteen in Gaza," filmed entirely within the Gaza Strip, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Tuesday. The film centers on Raghad, a 13-year-old girl entering puberty and navigating life with her father amidst the ongoing conflict, seeking a safe space for her confusion and a desire for care and support.
Abu Dan emphasized the importance of telling stories from a Gazan perspective, stating that "when you tell it your way, in your own language, it's different." The production faced logistical challenges, requiring a small crew that could fit into a single car to facilitate movement. Filming was completed in 12 days.
Due to travel restrictions, Abu Dan was unable to attend the festival in person, speaking to Reuters from his home in Gaza. Despite this, he expressed pride in creating a meaningful film that counters the assumption that Gaza has nothing left to offer. He stated, "we deserve life, we have dreams, and we have everything. What we truly want is to live normal lives, just like everyone else in the world."
The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, widespread destruction, a hunger crisis, and the displacement of Gaza's entire population.