Defying Erasure: Why Palestinian Cinema Belongs on Main Street

Living and working in Southeast Michigan as a Palestinian Muslim American in the 2020s has had its challenges. More recently, Israel's ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza has defined what it means to live in Ann Arbor.

Since October 2023, many of us have stepped up and rallied to challenge the narrative that what is happening in Palestine is only relevant to those with direct ties to that region. We were able to pass cease fire resolutions in our school districts and city governments. We built and sustained encampments on our college campuses. We've held our elected officials accountable and worked to stop AIPAC money from funding campaigns.

We organized and took to the streets to bring attention to the continuing genocide. But our resistance isn't just political; it is deeply cultural. When there is an active, ongoing attempt at the erasure of our people, simply insisting that our stories be told on a main stage is an act of defiance.

For that reason, we formed the Falasteen on Screen Committee, a new organization committed to showcasing films by and about Palestinians at the Michigan/State Theaters in Ann Arbor.

In 2024 and 2025, the Michigan Theater Foundation, along with board member Rima Hassouni, launched the Palestinian film festival. They had the support of community organizations and Muslim and Arab departments at U of M.

During the first year, five films were screened. During the second year, three films were screened. And, by 2026, the theater, now under new leadership and facing budget cuts, was only able to commit to one film.

Rima reached out to see if there was enough support in the community to run a more robust festival. With the support of Jackie and John Farah of Imagine Yoga and Fitness, the Palestine Aid Society of American, and many other individual supporters, we were able to raise enough money to host three films! The initial screenings of the first two films were such a big success that the theater decided to run several more showings of each one!

The significance of hosting this festival at a mainstream institution in the heart of Ann Arbor is not lost on any of us. In a town that prides itself on championing human rights and progressive values, the true test of those values is whether they extend to Palestinians. Progressive Except for Palestine has no place here. It's one thing to host films in church basements that attract the choir, and something else for us to be in the heart of Ann Arbor. Not only do we continue to attract the choir, but we are also able to reach so many others. More importantly, we fight against the ongoing attempt of erasure.

Having Falasteen on Screen highlighted on a marquee in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor is a priceless victory, but the work of visibility continues. We refuse to be erased, and we are bringing our stories to the main stage. To our Muslim community: come fill the theater and celebrate our resilience. To our neighbors across Southeast Michigan: join our choir, take a seat beside us, and witness the Palestinian narrative firsthand.

Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk screens Saturday, April 11th at 2pm at the Michigan Theater. Tickets are available by clicking the button below. Come fill the seats, support Palestinian art, and help us prove that Ann Arbor is a town that truly stands for all.

Tahani is a local activist and retired AAPS teacher. She currently teaches ESL through the Adult Pathways program in Washtenaw County.

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