Preserving Gaza’s photographic history

Gaza is a land that has been ravaged by war, strangled by sanctions, and isolated from the rest of the world. It is a place that most people only know from the media, portraying it as a war-torn land with little hope for the future. But Gaza is more than that, it is a place of culture, heritage, and resilience. This documentary takes us on a journey through Gaza, showcasing its little-known history, stories, and people.

Through the never-before-seen photographs of Kegham Djeghalian, Gaza’s first photographer, we explore a Gaza that existed before it became synonymous with war and destruction. In black and white images taken between 1945 and 1970, we see the life of the people who lived in Gaza when trains still ran and Che Guevara visited. We hear from Marwan Tarazi, who was able to preserve part of Djeghalian’s archive and talks about why these photographs are essential to Gaza’s cultural heritage. The documentary then shifts to the present day, where we follow Shareef Sarhan, a photojournalist, who captures the daily life of Gaza’s people beyond the conflict. Rapper Ayman Mghamis also shares his music, incorporating Kegham’s photographs, and talks about the struggles of being a young person in Gaza.

.