Hiam Abbass Set for Timely Dark Comedy ‘Occupational Hazards,’ About a Palestinian Family in Jerusalem (EXCLUSIVE)

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By Nick Vivarelli

Nick Vivarelli

International Correspondent

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Hiam Abbass, who portrayed Marcia Roy in HBO’s "Succession," will soon appear on the big screen in the politically charged dark comedy "Occupational Hazards," centering on a Palestinian family in Jerusalem dealing with the threat of forced relocation.

Bassel Ghandour ("Theeb," "The Alleys") has recently wrapped principal photography in Jordan on this timely satirical film, which draws inspiration from demolition operations purportedly aimed at displacing Palestinian families in East Jerusalem’s historic districts. A first-look image is provided above.

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"Occupational Hazards" boasts an ensemble cast that, in addition to a blonde-haired Abbass, includes Lebanon’s Yumna Marwan ("The Veil"); Jerusalem-based Palestinian rapper known as Daboor; Palestinian actor Nabil Al Raee ("The Teacher," "200 Meters"); and newcomer Wardi Eilabouni, who made her debut with a minor part in Annemarie Jacir’s "Palestine 36." The film also features U.S. comedy podcast "Bad Hasbara" duo Matt Lieb and Daniel Maté, along with Yaffa Bakri ("Palestine 36"), among other performers.

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Abbass’ upcoming projects also include the comedy "Your Turn, 203," where she stars alongside Tunisian-Egyptian star Hend Sabri ("Four Daughters," "Finding Ola"). Set in a war-torn Beirut, the film will be directed by Lebanese filmmaker Cynthia Sawma.

"Occupational Hazards," penned by Ghandour, follows the Al-Qassabis, a "loud, loving and slightly dysfunctional" Palestinian family in Jerusalem "who are forced to fight to keep their home from crumbling — literally and figuratively — as their struggle against the system takes on wild and unorthodox forms," per the synopsis.

They are facing Israeli excavations happening in their neighborhood that form part of "a so-called search for the ‘City of David’ masking a campaign of forced displacement."

"The film finds dark comedy in the impossible situation they’re left in — where staying home is itself an act of defiance, and where the system’s absurdity is matched only by the family’s cleverness in navigating it," the synopsis continues.

"I was immediately drawn to the story, specifically the intelligent and authentic humour, despite the harshness of the situation," Abbass said in a statement. "Working with Bassel was incredibly refreshing, especially his openness to collaborating in the artistic process of creating the character, while being in control of his subject. This film gathered an incredible group of people, cast and crew. There was a sense of fraternity; we all felt like we were a part of something special."

"Palestinian stories have often been told through a lens of pain and suffering, and with good reason, there’s plenty of both," said director Ghandour. "But with ‘Occupational Hazards,’ we hope to offer something different: to break away from the dramas that have traditionally shaped the canon of Palestinian cinema."

"Occupational Hazards" is being produced by Jordan’s Rula Nasser via her Imaginarium Films banner. The film’s development was backed by the U.K.’s BFI and producer Charlotte Knowles. Production received support from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fund, Qatar’s Doha Film Institute, the Film Committee at Media City Qatar, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), and the Jordan Film Fund.

Ghandour is a Jordanian filmmaker best recognized as co-writer and producer of the acclaimed Bedouin Western "Theeb" (2014), directed by Naji Abu Nowar, which earned an Academy Award nomination for best international film and won a BAFTA prize. Ghandour made his directorial debut with gritty crime drama "The Alleys," set in the backstreets of Amman, that premiered in 2021 on the Piazza Grande at the Locarno Film Festival before traveling widely on the festival circuit. He then directed "Chasing Dreams," a doc series following Syrian refugee soccer players recruited to play professionally in Brazil.

Distribution and festival premiere plans for "Occupational Hazards" remain uncertain.

Bassel Ghandour,

Hiam Abbass,

Jordanian Royal Film Commission