The Palestinian actor and director Mohammad Bakri died on Wednesday at the age of 72 after suffering from an illness, according to his family.
A spokesperson for the government hospital in Nahariya, located in northern Israel, confirmed Bakri’s death. He had suffered from heart and lung diseases. Bakri was a Palestinian who held Israeli citizenship, like nearly two million Arab citizens living within the state.
The Palestinian artist and director Mohammad Bakri is considered one of the most prominent actors and directors who contributed to enriching cinema and theater both locally and internationally. Born in 1953, Bakri left a significant mark on Palestinian and world cinema through an artistic career filled with awards and controversy.
Bakri was distinguished by his prominent cinematic roles, particularly his role in the film “Beyond the Walls” by director Uri Barbash, which dealt with the story of solidarity between Jewish and Arab prisoners and was nominated for an Oscar.
He also won the “Kinor David” award for this role and participated in other important films such as “The Silver Platter,” “Cup Final,” and “The Dream Stadium,” in addition to international works like the Swedish film “The Child from Heaven” and the Italian film “Private,” for which he won the Best Actor award at the Locarno Festival.
He also participated in the film “All That Remains,” which represented Jordan in the preliminary nominations for the International Oscar.
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In the works he directed, Bakri addressed issues of occupation and the Palestinian conflict, most notably in his famous 2002 film “Jenin, Jenin,” which was banned from being screened in Israel.
The film dealt with the events of the Battle of Jenin during the Second Intifada and sparked widespread controversy after accusations that the Israeli army committed war crimes, leading to several lawsuits being filed against Bakri. In November 2022, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the film contained defamation and officially banned its screening in the country.
His Impact on Theater
In addition to cinema, Bakri left a mark on theater, participating in performances at prominent theaters such as the “Habima” Theater, the “Haifa” Theater, the “Khan” Theater, the “Al-Kasaba” Theater, and the “Al-Midan” Theater. He also taught at the Academy of Performing Arts. On television, Bakri appeared in several international series, including “Homeland” and “The Night Of,” confirming the diversity of his artistic experiences across cinema, theater, and television.
Nahariya
Nahariya is a coastal city in northern Israel, founded in 1934 primarily by German Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazi persecution. It began as an agricultural settlement and later developed into a popular seaside resort town known for its beaches and relaxed atmosphere.
Israel
Israel is a country in the Middle East, established as a modern state in 1948 following the United Nations partition plan for the British Mandate of Palestine. It is a historic homeland of the Jewish people, containing significant religious sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Beyond the Walls
“Beyond the Walls” is a contemporary art installation and cultural project located in the city of Lod, Israel. It was initiated by the French street artist JR in 2021, using large-scale photographic portraits pasted onto buildings to visually connect divided communities and foster dialogue. The project’s history is directly tied to its aim of promoting unity and addressing social tensions within the city.
Kinor David
Kinor David, also known as the “David’s Harp” amphitheater, is an outdoor concert venue located in Jerusalem’s Old City, built into the historic Sultan’s Pool. It was constructed in the 1980s and is named to evoke the biblical King David, traditionally associated with musical prowess. The site hosts a variety of cultural performances against the backdrop of the ancient city walls.
The Silver Platter
“The Silver Platter” is a famous metaphorical phrase from a 1947 poem by Natan Alterman, symbolizing the heavy sacrifice made by soldiers for the establishment of the State of Israel. It represents the idea that the nation was not given freely but was paid for with the lives of its youth. The term has since become a deeply ingrained part of Israeli memorial culture and discourse.
Cup Final
The Cup Final refers to the championship match of a knockout cup competition in football (soccer), most famously the FA Cup Final in England. First held in 1872, it is the oldest national football competition in the world and traditionally takes place at London’s Wembley Stadium. The event is a major part of British sporting culture, known for its history, pageantry, and dramatic matches.
The Dream Stadium
“The Dream Stadium” is a modern sports venue in the city of Sousse, Tunisia, which opened in 2023. It was constructed to host matches for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, which was delayed to 2024, and serves as the home stadium for Étoile Sportive du Sahel.
The Child from Heaven
“The Child from Heaven” is a nickname for the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, whose tomb was discovered nearly intact in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. His reign, during the 18th Dynasty, was brief and focused on restoring traditional Egyptian religion and art after the radical changes of his predecessor, Akhenaten.
Private
The Private is a historic bar and restaurant located in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark. Established in 1917, it has served as a popular meeting place for artists, writers, and intellectuals throughout its history, becoming a cultural landmark in the city.
Locarno Festival
The Locarno Festival is an annual international film festival held in Locarno, Switzerland, founded in 1946 to help revitalize European cinema after World War II. It is renowned for its open-air screenings in the Piazza Grande and for showcasing independent and arthouse films, often awarding its top prize, the Golden Leopard.
All That Remains
“All That Remains” is a 2008 song by the American metal band All That Remains, from their album *Overcome*. The track is known for its blend of melodic metalcore and clean singing, reflecting the band’s musical style during that period.
Jenin, Jenin
“Jenin, Jenin” is a 2002 documentary film directed by Mohammed Bakri that portrays the experiences of Palestinian residents during the Israeli military operation in the Jenin refugee camp. The film is highly controversial, with Israeli officials criticizing it as containing falsehoods, while supporters view it as an important record of Palestinian testimony. Its history is deeply tied to the events of the Battle of Jenin and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Second Intifada
The Second Intifada was a major Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation that lasted from 2000 to 2005. It was marked by widespread violence, including suicide bombings and military operations, following the collapse of peace talks. The period resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides and a deep deterioration in Israeli-Palestinian relations.
Israeli Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Israel is the highest judicial authority in the country, established in 1948 shortly after Israel’s independence. It is located in Jerusalem and serves as both the highest court of appeals and the High Court of Justice, hearing petitions against state authorities.
Habima Theater
The Habima Theater is Israel’s national theater, founded in Moscow in 1917 as a Hebrew-language theater company. It relocated to Tel Aviv in 1931, and its iconic building, inaugurated in 1945, has become a central landmark for Israeli performing arts.
Haifa Theater
The Haifa Theater is a prominent cultural institution in Haifa, Israel, founded in 1961. It is known for producing Hebrew-language plays that often engage with contemporary social and political issues, contributing significantly to the country’s theatrical landscape.
Khan Theater
The Khan Theatre is a prominent Hebrew-language theater in Jerusalem, founded in 1968 by director and producer Mike Alfreds. It is housed in a historic 19th-century stone building that originally served as a caravanserai (an inn for travelers) near the old railway station, blending modern performing arts with a rich architectural past.
Al-Kasaba Theater
Al-Kasaba Theater is a prominent cultural institution in Ramallah, Palestine, founded in 1970. It began as a touring troupe before establishing its permanent venue in 2000, becoming a key hub for Palestinian performing arts and a platform for local and international productions.
Al-Midan Theater
Al-Midan Theater is a historic cultural venue in Haifa, Israel, originally established in the 1940s. It is renowned for its focus on Arabic-language productions and socially engaged theater, serving as a key platform for Palestinian and Arab performing arts within the region.
Academy of Performing Arts
The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague is a major Czech institution for theatre, film, and music education, founded in 1945. It encompasses the famous Film and TV School (FAMU), the Theatre Faculty (DAMU), and the Music and Dance Faculty (HAMU), and has educated many internationally renowned artists.
Homeland
“Homeland” is a term often used to refer to a person’s native country or a region with deep ancestral and cultural ties. In a historical context, it can specifically reference the concept of a national homeland for a people, such as the establishment of modern Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people following centuries of diaspora. The idea is deeply intertwined with notions of identity, sovereignty, and belonging.
The Night Of
“The Night Of” is not a physical place or cultural site, but an American television miniseries that premiered in 2016. It is a crime drama that explores the American criminal justice system through the story of a Pakistani-American student accused of murder. The series is a remake of the British show “Criminal Justice” and critically examines themes of institutional process, prejudice, and personal transformation.
