Hamdan Ballal, director of the acclaimed documentary "No Other Land," reflects on the juxtaposition of receiving an Oscar and being brutally attacked and arrested soon after. In an op-ed, he articulates feelings of failure despite the film's global recognition, emphasizing the challenges faced in improving the situation in his homeland. The Academy's initial vague response to his arrest drew criticism from members, leading to an eventual apology. Ballal's experiences highlight the harsh realities behind the film's success and the persistent struggle for justice and recognition in the region.
"For years, we have been desperately trying to make our names and our struggle known. Now we had succeeded beyond anything any of us could have ever imagined."
"Even though our movie received global recognition, I felt I had failed - we had failed - in our attempt to make life better here."
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