Once Upon a Time in Gaza

Pitch

Once upon a time in Gaza in 2007. Yahya, a dreamy student, befriends Osama, a charismatic drug dealer with a big heart. Together, they set up a drug trafficking operation, hidden in their modest falafel shop. But they cross paths with a corrupt cop who comes to thwart their plan. "We chose the title Once Upon a Time because it reflects the nature of life in Gaza: a life that lacks stability, continuity, and security. Nothing is guaranteed there. The events of yesterday, with all their sweetness or bitterness, can become mere memories the next day, or even turn into deeper pain. Our entire history can be erased overnight... We dream of one day making a purely Palestinian film that has nothing to do with politics. But that will only be possible when Palestinians have acquired their fundamental human rights: justice, freedom, and dignity. That is what is happening right now in this genocidal war. Gaza is a place where nothing is certain, not even life itself, which can end unexpectedly at any moment." Tarzan and Arab Nasser