Iyad Hajjaj, a Hollywood actor and filmmaker originally from Gaza, has won 19 awards for his short movie based on Israel's genocidal war.
The film, "My Foot is in Heaven", inspired on real events, tells the story a father (played by Hajjaj) whose daughter's lower leg is severely wounded in an Israeli airstrike. The family, who have already lost their other children in the war, quickly learn that their daughter's foot can only be amputated without anesthesia.
The aim of the film, which has won 19 awards to date, is to educate audiences though the medium of film about the three-year-long war and genocide in Gaza through a human and realistic story.
"The film has fulfilled its message," Hajjaj told The New Arab during his film festival tour, which is taking him to cities around the world, including London and New York City. One of his next stops will be at the Egyptian American Film Festival in Staten Island.
"The message is for the general public to hear about what is happening in Gaza," he said. "This film is a slice of life of life in Gaza. I wanted the audience to live with this family to see what they go through. It represents the rest of the families in Gaza."
In addition to major cities, the film is also being shown in conservative rural areas in the US, including Kentucky and South Carolina.
"The film was accepted in states I would never dream about. It shows people are changing towards Gaza. For us to have a chance to show these audiences a story from Gaza is a success by itself," Hajjaj said.
In his post-screening discussions with audiences, many people comment on how realistic it looks—and are surprised to learn that it was filmed in southern California. Hajjaj spent months creating an authentic set and wardrobe to depict Gaza, where he has family he speaks with nearly daily. Many have died in Israeli airstrikes.
“In the discussions, as a filmmaker, they ask how I did it, where I filmed it. I always say I do have family in Gaza. The feelings I portrayed in those scenes are real feelings. I lived in that environment. I lived through that war. I experienced it through my family,” he said.
Hajjaj, who grew up in the border city of Rafah, has spent decades in Hollywood. His screen credits include "Ms. Marvel", "Will and Grace", and "Black Monday". Through his work, he hopes to be an ambassador of Palestinians for American audiences through the accessible medium of film.
"I'm their ambassador. I've accepted this message and mission. I am trying to fulfil this mission I have," he said.
"It's a lot of work. I am in Hollywood and I'm going against the current. We might have seen a lot of celebrities change their perspective, but that control in Hollywood has not changed. We're still facing the same issues." He said.
"Surprisingly, I haven’t had anybody get up and speak against the film and what I say. The story of a girl in Gaza could happen to anyone," he said. "People are hungry for these kinds of stories."