Yalla Parkour

When she was four, the filmmaker Areeb travelled to Gaza and saw the sea for the first time. That moment – the magic of the sea and the smile on her Palestinian mother’s face – had a lasting impact. When she sees a video of young men doing parkour on Gaza’s sandy shores, she is filled with nostalgia. The joy of the young athletes stands in stark contrast to the distant echoes of explosions. Longing to reconnect with her past, Areeb gets in touch with the parkour team and befriends Ahmed. Together, they navigate what is left of Gaza, exploring a cemetery, a run-down shopping centre and the remains of an airport. As their relationship deepens, Ahmed reveals the harsh realities of life in Gaza and Areeb’s initial curiosity develops into a profound appreciation of the struggles he is facing. Ahmed’s desire to escape the confines of his homeland triggers conflicting feelings in Areeb, who understands the emotional void that such a departure can bring. Areeb’s journey becomes not only a quest to reclaim memories but also an exploration of identity, belonging and the haunting legacy of a homeland left behind.