Among the buzzy titles in the Cannes Film Festival lineup this year, one independent film stood out from the rest. Documentarian Sepideh Farsi’s Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk became front-page news when the main subject of her film, photojournalist Fatma Hassona, was tragically murdered just one day after receiving news that the film would screen at the festival. Fatma’s shining spirit and irrefutable legacy will now live on posthumously in Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk.

Giving a Voice to the Victims: Capturing Daily Life During Wartime Gaza

Opening in Los Angeles this Friday, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk offers a firsthand account of life under siege in Gaza, as experienced through the eyes of 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist and poet Fatma Hassona. Captured through video calls, many of which suffer from poor quality, Fatma speaks candidly with director Sepideh Farsi as she recounts the horrible atrocities occurring daily on the streets of Gaza. Given the consistency and proximity of bombings, every interview and meeting with Fatma is a miracle. A talented photographer, Fatma shares some of the visceral and emotionally wrought photos she has captured over the months, each one more devastating than the next.

Watch the trailer for Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk here.

On April 15, 2025, Sepideh unknowingly had her last conversation with Fatma. In a somewhat meta moment, Sepideh shares the news that the film will be playing at the Cannes Film Festival. Fatma’s excitement is undeniable, and she enthusiastically tells Sepideh she plans to attend. At 1:00 am the following morning, Fatma and six members of her family were killed as they slept by a targeted Israeli airstrike on their home.

A One-of-a-Kind Piece of Cinema

Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk is unlike any other documentary you’ll see this year. The simplicity of the edit and overall production stands in stark contrast to the heaviness and importance of the subject matter. A seasoned independent documentary filmmaker, Sepideh Farsi breaks the fourth wall in her telling of Fatma’s story. There are no bells and whistles, no fancy Hollywood magic; just a powerful story from a compelling narrator. By approaching the film in this way, Sepideh – knowingly or not – levels the playing field in terms of attainability and access. This film proves that anyone can make an impactful movie, regardless of budget.

Takeaway

Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk is the closest first-person POV possible to Gaza’s frontlines. Through intimate and vulnerable conversation, Fatma heroically gives audiences a new perspective on the endless cycle of violence in her city. This is essential viewing, not only for its timely message, but also as a heartfelt tribute to a young woman who deserved to live her life to the fullest.