Introduction –
The Present is about every day journey from Bethlehem to Beitunia and the infamous checkpoint 300. Interestingly, the border control scene was shot using guerilla filming technique. The Present won several international awards, was nominated for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2021. It also won the Bafta Award for the best short film.
Synopsis –
The Present is a heart-wrenching story of Yousef ( Saleh Bakri ), a Palestinian resident. Like thousands, he too has to pass through a checkpoint every time he wants to enter Beitunia from Bethlehem to earn a living. Checkpoint 300 is notorious for its crammed environment, harsh and indifferent Israeli security guards. In spite of this daily ordeal of having to stand for hours in the queue to get on to the other side, Yousef still goes ahead with his plan to buy a refrigerator for his wife Noor ( Mariam Basha ) on their wedding anniversary.
This time his daughter Yasmine ( Maryam Kanj ) tags along because Yousef has promised to buy her goodies. At checkpoint 300, Yousef is incited, delayed and snuffed by the guards. With great difficulty Yousef controls his anger and his chronic back pain. Much later the father-daughter duo is allowed to pass after showing their permit. However, the incident is so traumatic that Yasmine pees in her jeans. The fear of Israeli guards is so overwhelming that she loses control.
Checkpoint 300 humiliation begins once again
Yousef is hurt by the incident but continues with his plan to buy the present. He spends the entire day shopping and gallivanting with Yasmine. Yousef requests the shop owner to drop them home because he has no other way of transporting the present ( Refrigerator ). However, at one of the many check posts Yousef is disallowed to enter with their car. Left with no choice, Yousef mounts the refrigerator on the trolley and pushes it towards checkpoint 300. The ordeal of humiliation and unwanted harassment begins once again.
Now this where the film takes an interesting turn. Checkpoint 300 has narrow entry and exit passages. Yousef is unable to get past the constricted channel with his trolley. He is stuck with the present. He asks the guards to let him through the open walkway. However, the guards refuse. What happens next will surprise you. Check out the movie which is available on Netflix.
Analysis –
Political, religious and territorial struggles all over the world have one thing in common; the unbearable plight of ordinary people. While director and co-writer Farah Nabulsi and Hind Shoufani have captured the essence of daily life along this particular checkpoint in the most compelling manner, the performance of Saleh Bakri and Maryam Kanj is simply outstanding. Both these actors are expressive which is what the script demanded. On the other hand, Mariam Basha in spite of the small role enacts some of the quintessential actions of a wife and a mother beautifully. Shot composition and layering complements the needs of the film very well.
2020 Farah Nabulsi Farah Nabulsi & Hind Shoufani 23 Minutes Netflix