Odd Slice Films Boards Documentary ‘Concrete Land’ Ahead of Locarno Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

The world premiere of Asmahan Bkerat’s documentary “Concrete Land” at the Locarno Film Festival has brought attention to a pressing issue: the displacement of communities under the guise of urban development. The film chronicles the struggles of the last Afro-Palestinian Bedouin family living on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan.

The Najar family’s story is one of resilience in the face of encroaching luxury villas and eviction notices. Their 10-year-old daughter Eman faces discriminatory treatment at school and struggles to preserve her cultural identity. The film’s narrative highlights the human cost of erasure as the family fights to maintain their traditional way of life amidst the threat of forced assimilation.

Bkerat’s emotional investment in the project is rooted in her connection to her people, giving “Concrete Land” its authenticity. Her passion for storytelling is driven by witnessing the brutal destruction of land and culture. The director notes that preserving the beauty and knowledge of her people is crucial, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of documenting marginalized communities.

The documentary has received support from international partners including the IDFA Bertha Fund and Sundance Documentary Fund, recognizing the global concern surrounding community displacement. This collaborative effort highlights the complexities of displacement, which are not limited to local issues but have far-reaching consequences.

Martina Droandi, founder of Odd Slice Films, notes that “Concrete Land” serves as a powerful reminder that urban development is never simply about buildings; it is about the people whose histories risk being erased. The acquisition of the film by Odd Slice marks a significant development in its distribution trajectory.

The international community would do well to heed this warning and recognize the complexities of displacement, which echo similar stories from around the world: the forced relocation of Indigenous communities, gentrification of urban neighborhoods, and erasure of cultural identities under the guise of progress. As we watch “Concrete Land,” we are confronted with a harsh reality: the displacement of communities is not just an economic or political issue but a human rights concern.

The film’s narrative serves as a call to action, urging us to consider the long-term consequences of our actions and prioritize the preservation of cultural identities. The world premiere at Locarno marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bkerat’s film, but its impact will be measured by the actions that follow.

As we witness the Najar family’s struggle to preserve their heritage, we are reminded that identity is not something that can be erased or assimilated. It is a complex, multifaceted aspect of human experience. The erasure of one community is a threat to us all, and it is up to us to ensure that their voices are heard and their histories preserved.

The fate of the Najar family and countless others like them hangs in the balance as urban development continues to encroach on their lands. Will we stand idly by while entire cultures are erased, or will we take action to protect these marginalized communities? The world premiere of “Concrete Land” serves as a stark reminder that our choices have consequences, and it is up to us to choose wisely.