Monday Night Cinema

The Teacher

Palestinian schoolteacher Basem (Saleh Bakri) lives alone following the tragic death of his teenage son and the breakdown of his marriage. When one of his students is murdered, Basem and volunteer worker Lisa (Imogen Poots) try to prevent the boy’s younger brother from seeking revenge. At the same time, Basem’s support for political resistance embroils him in a hostage situation involving an American soldier.

Shot entirely in the West Bank, and featuring a commanding performance from renowned Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri (The Band’s Visit, The Blue Caftan), this first feature from Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning British-Palestinian writer-director Farah Nabulsi is a gripping, authentic complex drama for our time.