Screening – News
Dissenters Fresno is a newly created student-run organization at Fresno State.
Dissenters is a foundation for young people who want to put an end to the war industry. The foundation seeks to put resources to bringing the world back together instead of tearing it apart.
For the first meeting, a screening of the documentary “No Other Land” took place on Oct. 7.
The Muslim Student Association and M.E.C.h.A. Club worked together to bring the screening to life.
“It’s disgusting seeing people displaced, it’s overall disgusting,” Rene Espinoza, an attendee of the event said after the screening.
The screening was followed by a discussion where attendees were able to talk about their feelings after seeing the film.
The conversation after the screening consisted of more than talk of Palestine. America’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement and what this generation of students can do to help with ongoing struggles were also addressed.
Frustrations regarding America’s backing of Israel were also voiced.
“This is U.S. backed, you know, this is being done with U.S. money,” Rene Espinoza said.
Other students emphasized the importance of students taking an active part in spreading awareness.
“We’ve seen it happen and happen throughout history, but now not a lot of active governments are willing to take active action against it. There are many [individuals] who take action, who I see actively spreading that message, and it actively inspires others to do the same,” said attendee Christopher Thor.
During the discussion Thor also spoke about how even Israeli students have also begun to take active parts in the Palestine movement.
“High school aged kids in Israel are actually burning their draft cards because they sympathize and understand what’s going on in Gaza,” Thor said.
Review – Lifestyle
“No Other Land” is a rare kind of documentary. The film is fueled by anger, and through its anger it becomes a deeply humanist experience.
I had heard of “No Other Land” last year in the lead-up to the 2025 Academy Awards, where it was the frontrunner to win Best Documentary Feature. However, after winning the Academy Award, it seemed as if all momentum the feature had fizzled out. It never received a theatrical exhibition nor has it found a home on any major streaming service.
After seeing it during the Fresno State screening, I conclude that it is nothing less than a travesty that “No Other Land” is so difficult to find. It’s total suppression. It should not be this difficult to watch a movie as important as this.
Adding to the urgency of the documentary was the killing of Awdah Hathaleen who served as a consultant on the film.
“No Other Land” follows Palestinian Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham as they attempt to document the Israeli military’s demolitions of Palestinian homes on the West Bank, primarily Masafer Yatta.
The film manages to pack in so many emotional scenes throughout its 92-minute runtime.
The images of a Palestinian village watching as the Israeli military destroys a local school and the multiple sequences of protests turning into violent confrontations, will stick with me for a long time.
All of this leads up to one of the most devastating final scenes to any piece of media I’ve ever seen.
The scenes in which Basel struggles with the pressure of becoming the figurehead of a local movement were all incredibly moving. It was incredibly brave and authentic for someone to showcase themselves in such a vulnerable position. It truly felt that Basel is overwhelmed because the movement depicted in the film is far bigger than him.
However, at the heart of the story is the relationship between Basel and Adra.
It was undeniably interesting to see the interactions between Adra and the inhabitants of Masafer Yatta. At the beginning of the film, the interactions between them are lighthearted and companionable, but as the film reaches its end, the relationship- although nonviolent-becomes heartbreakingly strained.
More than anything, “No Other Land” is an unflinching, passionate and humanitarian look at the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine that succeeds on every level at painting a moving and urgent picture of the conflict.
After seeing “No Other Land,” I came to the conclusion that this film is more than just a picture about Palestine. In many ways, it’s about oppression itself. Anyone who empathizes with the victims in Palestine, Sudan, Congo and all of the others must seek out this film.
“No Other Land” is truly a one-of-a-kind experience, one that will shake you to your core, yet leave you hopeful for a better future.
