Doha: "We are artists and cinema is our tool to deliver the voices of Palestinians," said directors Tarzan and Arab Nasser, at a media briefing at Doha Film Festival, where their film Once Upon a Time in Gaza screened in the International Feature Competition programme.

According to Qatar News Agency, the directors expressed that the making of the film was a miracle, crediting the producers for their support. "Cinema is the voice, the picture, the representation of humans. We are tired of the image of the victim and of Palestinians constantly having to justify their humanity," they stated. They posed a question to the world, asking if action would be taken after hearing their story.

The directors emphasized that the script remained unchanged since it was finalized before October 2023. They highlighted that Palestinians are often reduced to mere statistics despite their rich history of struggle and ambition. They pointed out that the conflict did not begin on October 7, but rather, the siege officially commenced in 2007, with eight wars since then, contributing to the current situation.

They described the conditions in Gaza as resembling a jungle, noting that cinema does not alter reality but asks questions that demand recognition. "For us, cinema is a dramatic archiving of history," they said, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the voices represented.

Producer Rani Massalha highlighted the significance of the film, stating it was crucial to present a different, humanitarian perspective that counters stereotypical portrayals.