Marjolein Busstra’s House of Hope lets us into a school in the West Bank run by Palestinian couple, Manar and Milad. The school, House of Hope, focuses on the wholistic care of the students in it, and places a special emphasis on peace. As the documentary progresses, attacks against the Palestinian people intensify, and the weight of upholding the school’s values starts to take a toll on Manar, Milad, and the people who work alongside them.
House of Hope gives a look into the reality of life for the Palestinian people who have been living under occupation. It is especially poignant considering it is set in a school and lets us in on the perspective of the children who have dealt with family members being arrested and houses being bombed. Yet they are still children, playing as children do and being hopeful as children are.
The anxiety of the occupation and attacks is mostly seen in the adults working in the school, who navigate the realities of the world and must keep hope alive for the sake of the children. It is humbling watching them break down in secret and try to maintain a sense of calm for the children at the school, and leaves you hoping and praying that the seeds they are planting yield the best results.
House of Hope premiered at Hot Docs ’26. For more information, click here.
