PFF25: The Teacher

Synopsis

The Teacher is a powerful political drama that explores the deep emotional and moral complexities of resistance, loss, and survival under occupation. The story follows Basem El-Saleh (played by Saleh Bakri), a beloved Palestinian schoolteacher who leads a quiet double life. By day, he’s a compassionate educator and mentor to a group of teenage boys struggling to come of age under military control. But beneath the calm surface, Basem is involved in a clandestine resistance network, making increasingly dangerous choices to protect his students and his people.

When one of Basem’s students, 17-year-old Adam, watches his father violently arrested by Israeli forces, his world begins to unravel. Basem becomes a surrogate father figure to the boy, offering protection and guidance while secretly drawing him closer to the resistance. As Adam becomes more radicalised, Basem faces impossible ethical decisions—how far can he go to safeguard his student, and at what cost?

Complicating matters is Lisa (Imogen Poots), a British volunteer working at the school, who becomes romantically involved with Basem. Their growing relationship offers a brief reprieve from the surrounding tension but also exposes the deep cultural and political divisions between them. Meanwhile, Basem is drawn into a high-stakes hostage situation when a young Israeli soldier is captured, intensifying pressure on all sides.

As the Israeli military closes in and personal losses mount, Basem finds himself at the crossroads of teacher, freedom fighter, and father figure—each role demanding a sacrifice. The film builds toward a harrowing climax in which the emotional and political stakes come to a head.

Shot on location in Palestine, The Teacher captures the haunting beauty and everyday brutality of life under occupation. With quiet intensity, it explores themes of identity, vengeance, and moral ambiguity, refusing easy answers as it examines the human cost of conflict. Saleh Bakri’s performance anchors the film, portraying a man tormented by duty, compassion, and rage.

Farah Nabulsi’s feature debut, based in part on true events, is a gripping and emotionally resonant portrait of resistance, not just as action, but as lived experience. Though infused with moments of tenderness and hope, The Teacher confronts viewers with the harsh reality of systemic injustice and the heartbreak of trying to do right in a world that has long forgotten how.