“House of Hope” is the name of the Waldorf school in Al-Eizariya, a town in the occupied West Bank near Jerusalem, founded by Manar and her husband Milad. An elementary school, based on the Waldorf educational philosophy, that embraces non-violent resistance while supporting children in healing from trauma. Manar tries to offer young Palestinian students a safe haven, but she’s finding it increasingly difficult to do so.
Dutch filmmaker Marjolein Busstra started to film her friend Manar in 2022 and followed her at work and at home with her husband and their two children over the next three years — which is to say, before, during and in the aftermath of 7 October, 2023. It will be the most testing time for all of them, a period when hope has never been more precious…
Heartbreaking… A nuanced portrait of the impact of occupation. Amazingly, its subjects continue to plant, to teach, to hope.
Susan G Cole, POV magazine
Marjolein Busstra
Netherlands/Palestine
2025
In Arabic and English with English subtitles
Best International Feature, HotDocs
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Credits
Cinematography
Abu Mosab
Editor
Saskia Kievits
Original Music
Jesse Koolhaas, Yamen Martini
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