--- title: "Palestinian Bedouin Family's Struggle Against Displacement Documented in Concrete Land" url: https://noti.group/palestinian-bedouin-family-s-struggle-against-displacement-documented/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Entertainment" published: 2026-10-07T08:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-07T10:30:01.781Z id: 49c6dd09-7638-4855-bf15-7ab267702136 source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/concrete-land-doc-film-palestinian-bedouin-family-displaced-1236679540/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/palestinian-bedouin-family-s-struggle-against-displacement-documented/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Palestinian Bedouin Family's Struggle Against Displacement Documented in Concrete Land A feature-length documentary that shines a light on a rarely seen nomadic lifestyle follows three generations of a Palestinian Bedouin family living in Jordan. A Palestinian Bedouin family's struggle against displacement, racism, and internal conflict is at the heart of Concrete Land, a feature-length documentary that shines a light on a rarely seen nomadic lifestyle. Directed by Palestinian-Jordanian filmmaker Asmahan Bkerat in her directorial debut, the film follows three generations of a Palestinian Bedouin family living in Jordan. The documentary has already made its world premiere at the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival. Concrete Land will soon be screened at the prestigious BFI London Film Festival (LFF), where it will compete in the Documentary Competition. Odd Slice Films is handling international sales for the film, which was written and edited by Ban Maraqa. The documentary has been described as an "intimate, multi-generational portrait" of a mixed-race family fighting against displacement and hostility in Jordan. It explores the importance of familial bonds across generations and the quest for hope and a sense of home. Ahead of its London festival run, Concrete Land will screen starting October 8 at the LFF. A trailer for the film is available online for viewers to get a glimpse into the story it tells. Asmahan Bkerat's documentary is not only a personal project but also a reflection of her own experiences with the family she features in the film. In an upcoming interview, Bkerat will share more about how this project came to be and what inspired her to tell their story. The director's connection to the Bedouin family in the film dates back to her own childhood experiences living on the outskirts of Amman. She spent time as a young girl in an area that was less developed at the time and often found herself isolated from the city. This led to her befriending another local resident, Ban Maraqa, with whom she later collaborated on a film workshop. During one of their excursions outside the city, they stumbled upon a striking scene - an elderly woman walking behind her sheep along a newly opened road. The director's initial impression was of the beauty and simplicity of this everyday moment, which sparked her curiosity about the family's lives. The director recalls that she and Maraqa met the Bedouin family in much the same way as they are portrayed in the film - during one of their daily walks. At the time, however, they were unaware of the family's living arrangements or their background. The elderly woman, who would later become a central figure in the story, invited them to share tea at her home. As they walked past large buildings and into the area where the family lived, the director was struck by the contrast between the modern structures and the humble tents that housed the Bedouin community. This encounter left an indelible mark on her memory. At first glance, there was nothing particularly noteworthy about this chance meeting for the director. She hadn't yet developed a passion for filmmaking, nor had she considered telling stories through documentary. Her primary interest lay in digital filmmaking, which she explored with Maraqa through their film workshop. Despite not initially recognizing the potential for a story, the director continued to visit the family and build a rapport with them due to her affection and admiration for their kindness and warmth. The documentary's director had previously worked with the family on a short film about their sheep in 2017. However, it was during this time that they began to notice increased construction activity in the area and asked an individual involved in the project if the Bedouin community would be allowed to remain or be displaced. The response was clear: the family's home would soon be under threat. This revelation sparked a decision to document the unfolding events, with the intention of capturing the story of what was happening to the family. At this point, the director had no idea that their short film would eventually grow into an 8-year-long project. The family agreed to participate, and the director began filming, documenting every moment as it unfolded. The process of making Concrete Land proved to be a lengthy one, with hundreds of hours of footage captured over the years. The uncertainty surrounding the family's future kept the director shooting, waiting for the inevitable eviction or displacement that seemed increasingly likely. As the story developed, so too did the film itself, which shifted focus from one character to another. Initially, the director had been drawn to the family's grandmother and her sheep, but as time passed, they began to follow the growth and development of the family's young daughter. This shift in focus eventually led to a broader exploration of the family dynamics, with the father emerging as a central figure. The result was a film that told a deeply personal story about resilience and adaptation. The displacement of Bedouin communities in Jordan is a complex issue, one that stems from the city's expansion onto previously fertile agricultural land. Historically, Amman has been characterized by its lush landscape, but this has given way to urban development, leaving behind barren expanses devoid of green spaces or natural beauty. The consequences are far-reaching, affecting not only the people displaced but also the very identity of the region. As one explores the outskirts of Amman, it becomes clear that the city's expansion comes at a significant cost, sacrificing natural habitats and agricultural land for concrete and steel. The impact on local ecosystems is severe, leaving behind an urban landscape that feels suffocating and devoid of character. The Palestinian Bedouin family at the center of 'Concrete Land' faces unique challenges due to their minority status within a minority group. As Afrobedouins living in Jordan, they are part of a community that has traditionally coexisted with the land. However, this way of life is rapidly disappearing as land is being lost to construction and development. The impact of this loss of land on the family's nomadic lifestyle is significant. With no more space for them within the city, they struggle to access basic necessities like education. Historically, Bedouin families lived in close-knit tribes, but this particular family has been displaced from their tribe, which remains in Palestine. As a result, they face numerous challenges on multiple fronts. Jordanian Bedouins have a different status than Palestinian Bedouins, who are refugees and do not have access to the same land rights. This disparity is just one aspect of a complex issue that is multifaceted and deeply ingrained. The filmmaker's intention with 'Concrete Land' was to shed light on these broader issues affecting Palestine as well as Jordan. The film aims to be a reflection of the experiences of Afro-Palestinians, who are not only displaced in Jordan but also constantly displaced within Palestine itself. Their existence is often unrecognized by Israel, which seeks to take away their land. This situation is reflected in the film's title, Tiyaha , meaning 'the person who is lost'. It highlights the family's state of being constantly displaced and without a place to belong. The displacement of Afro-Palestinians is not limited to Jordan or Palestine; it is a recurring theme throughout the region. The filmmaker aimed to capture this sense of displacement through the film, using the title as a metaphor for the fragility of their situation. As the story of 'Concrete Land' unfolds, it becomes clear that the impact on local ecosystems is severe, leaving behind an urban landscape that feels suffocating and devoid of character. The English title "Concrete Land" was chosen because it reflects the stark contrast between the rigid, concrete landscape of Jordan and the natural beauty of the land itself. The filmmakers wanted to convey that the loss of land is a tangible reality in this part of the world. A key aspect of the film that the directors want audiences to grasp is the misconception surrounding Bedouin life. Many people assume that living in tents means poverty, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Historically, Bedouins chose their way of life and it was not a result of economic necessity. The filmmakers' approach to storytelling is deliberate, avoiding stereotypes and instead focusing on the complexities of the characters' lives. This is evident in the fact that they didn't show the family watching the film on a small laptop, choosing instead to create a more immersive experience for them. As part of their efforts to share the film with the family, the directors are working on booking a small cinema in Jordan where they can screen it. They also hope to bring the father and daughter to the UK for the festival. The filmmakers' passion project has brought them closer to their subjects and given them a sense of purpose. Meeting the Palestinian Bedouin family was a turning point in their careers, making them realize that documentary filmmaking is what they were meant to do. The challenges of this line of work are many, but the rewards make it all worthwhile for these dedicated filmmakers who are driven by a desire to share stories that need to be told. The director's personal connection to the topic of displacement is evident in their current projects. Two films are currently in production, one using a family archive to tell the story of a Palestinian family returning home, and another focusing on a Jordanian farmer struggling with water loss amidst a complex political situation involving Israel. This theme of displacement will continue to be explored in the director's next feature, which is still in development. --- Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/concrete-land-doc-film-palestinian-bedouin-family-displaced-1236679540/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/palestinian-bedouin-family-s-struggle-against-displacement-documented/