Palestine Comedy Club, directed by Alaa Ali Abdallah as his feature debut, and developed by the director with assistance from comedy director, writer and researcher Dr Sam Beale and film producer Charlotte Knowles, has been presented as a world premiere at the first edition of the SXSW London festival, and is also set to be screened at the upcoming Raindance Film Festival and Sheffield Doc Fest. The documentary was also profiled at Cannes Docs’ and the Toronto International Film Festival’s work-in-progress strands in 2024.

Telling the story of a group of six Palestinians (Alaa Shehada, Hanna Shammas, Ebaa Monther, Diana Sweity, Khalil Al-Batran and Raed Al-Shyoukhi) who work as stand-up comedians, the feature skilfully weaves together light-hearted, laughter-filled scenes and deeply emotional moments, creating a powerful experience that feels like an emotional rollercoaster. As they travel across Palestine and Israel, while also making their way to London, the group of comedians encounters a wide range of emotional and practical challenges. From negotiating military checkpoints and political tensions to confronting personal fears and the weight of their audience's expectations, their journey is marked by moments of both despair and resilience. Despite the hardships, fears and the overwhelming sense of hopelessness they often face, their path is also illuminated by heartfelt connections and a deep sense of gratitude. The ability to find and share laughter in the darkest of circumstances becomes a powerful act of resistance and hope.

The film’s tone shifts constantly, making it feel fast-paced even when interrupted by its heaviest scenes. While certain segments – focused on very specific aspects of Palestinian culture – might leave international viewers feeling somewhat disconnected, the documentary as a whole remains highly accessible to a global audience, and is urgent and timely. Its structure combines intimate personal moments, snippets of stand-up comedy, and informative segments that use graphics to clarify the political and social context in Palestine. These elements are well-balanced, and although a few scenes may feel slightly prolonged, the overall narrative remains cohesive and engaging.

The idea of structuring the documentary as a sort of road trip makes the film flow organically and with ease, helped by the well-paced editing courtesy of Libby Knowles. Throughout the movie, animation is used cleverly to enhance its lyrical quality while simultaneously softening the overall tone, adding both depth and levity to the storytelling. Nonetheless, in every shot of Palestine Comedy Club, there is an underlying sadness – never shouted out loud, but always softly whispered – that is bound to move any audience. Despite this inevitable sorrow, the film ultimately emerges as a call for human connection and solidarity, voiced by ordinary people who, over the course of the movie, become extraordinary.

Ali Abdallah’s work is, overall, an extraordinary documentary both in the way it's made and in its topic, and is an unmissable watch. Its protagonists are perfect for the screen, and the overall result is a triumph.

Palestine Comedy Club is a UK-Palestinian co-production staged by Tough Crowd Limited, and its world sales are handled by Zurich-based First Hand Films.