ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
Two Palestinian girls who ride and train horses must brave the forces of occupation and negotiate cultural and institutional restrictions to pursue their dreams.

SYNOPSIS
Above the city of Jenin, a dirt road leads to the Jenin Equestrian Club, an oasis in the West Bank where Palestinians come from all over the West Bank and Israel to learn how to ride and show jump. In this world where people encounter hurdles as a part of daily life, horses are symbols of hope and a link to a legacy of freedom. The Bedouin called the Arabian mares they prized above all else banat Alreeh, “daughters of the wind”, capturing in that metaphor the poetry of their movement across open desert spaces.

Today, Palestinians’ love of equine beauty and strength has become a way of defining an identity and providing a respite from the strictures imposed by the occupying forces, adding another layer of significance to the Arab people’s traditional respect for and love of the Arabian horse.

Sixteen-year-old Jana dreams of being an international show jumper one day but now must spend arduous hours crossing checkpoints to get to her lessons at the Jenin Club from her Arab town in Israel while seventeen-year-old Maya, who lives in Jenin City and grew up wanting to show Arabian horses bred in Palestine internationally, hopes to become the first female vet in the region. The film chronicles both girls’ quests, revealing the inspirational roles they play. When Jana jumps, she lifts the hopes of all the girls and women around her, including her own mother who is immensely proud of her daughter’s prowess and ambition. Likewise, Maya’s focus on academic excellence and her desire to enter a male-dominated field is a beacon of hope. What both girls demonstrate is the power of resilience, of never giving up despite all odds.

PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature

DIRECTOR Anne Landsman
PRODUCER Anne Landsman, Susan Margolin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Samar Ali
CO-PRODUCER Taher Kosa, Talal Jabari

The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and services for independent filmmakers. TFC’s federal tax ID number is 32-0295081. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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