At the Toronto International Film Festival, Palestinian director Hosam Abu Dan debuted his new drama Thirteen in Gaza. The film, shot entirely within the Gaza Strip, follows the life of Raghad, a 13‑year‑old girl who has just entered puberty. As she and her father try to find a safe space for her confusion and need for care, the story paints a vivid picture of everyday life under siege.

Filmmaking under extreme constraints

Abu Dan explained that the production took just 12 days and relied on a very small crew. “Usually a film crew is quite large, but we deliberately kept ours very small so we could all fit into a single car and move around easily,” he said. The limited resources were a direct result of the logistical challenges posed by the ongoing Israeli military assault on Gaza.

Humanity amid conflict

More than tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the war that began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The conflict has left much of Gaza in ruins, sparked a hunger crisis and displaced the entire population. Abu Dan, speaking from his home in Gaza, said he could not travel to Toronto because international travel remains restricted.

“Many people may assume that Gaza has nothing left to offer, so we have to keep reminding them: no, we deserve life, we have dreams, and we have everything,” he told Reuters. “What we truly want is to live normal lives, just like everyone else in the world.”

Why the story matters

Abu Dan emphasized the importance of telling Gaza’s story in the filmmakers’ own language and perspective. “I used to always say that people could always tell your story, but when you tell it your way, in your own language, it’s different. That is something that’s very important,” he said.

The film adds a personal, human‑focused narrative to the broader headlines about the conflict, reminding audiences that ordinary families in Gaza continue to hope for a future of peace and normalcy.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.