My Oscar-winning film exposed violent Israeli settlers. Now they’re the soldiers

My Oscar-winning film exposed violent Israeli settlers. Now they’re the soldiers

Author: The Times May 13, 2025 Duration: 26:15

In March this year, a team of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers accepted the Oscar for best documentary. Their film No Other Land is a glimpse into the reality of life in the West Bank, the most populous of the Palestinian Territories. Before the month was out, though, one of the people on that stage - co-director Hamdan Ballal - would return home to the West Bank and be attacked and detained by Israeli settlers and soldiers. Times reporter Venetia Menzies went to meet Hamdan and his co-director and star of the documentary, Basel Adra, to find out what life is like now for Palestinians in the West Bank. 


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guest: Venetia Menzies, ​​assistant data editor at The Times and The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones 

Producer: Hannah Varrall

Further reading: https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/palestinian-film-director-oscar-israeli-settlers-q62756r9v 

Clips: Oscars, No Other Land, CBS Chicago, France 24 English, Hollywood Reporter.

Photo: Basel Adra (Venetia Menzies)

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com  

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
Inside the Government Whips' Office [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:49
An MP has been accused of rape - and questions are again being asked about the role of whips in protecting parliamentary staff. Historically, the whips have a reputation as the shadowy brokers of backroom deals and the k…
New York versus The NRA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:04
The NRA is one of America's most powerful lobby groups. Now it has become the target of a lawsuit brought by New York's attorney-general. The organisation stands accused of "years of self-dealing and illegal conduct" by…
The Coronavirus Recession [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:42
It's official: the UK economy is back in recession. This week we've heard of record-high job losses and a sharp economic downturn - but the worst could still be to come.Guest: Gurpreet Narwan, economics correspondent, Th…
TikTok and the data war [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
President Trump has ordered firms to stop doing business with social media giant TikTok over security concerns. Microsoft was the front-runner to buy the company, but now Twitter has emerged as a possible suitor. What ha…
Beirut: The blast that shook the world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:44
In one heart-stopping moment last Tuesday, Beirut, a city that’s seen its share of wars, was rocked by the biggest blast in its history. Now that international donors have pledged a quarter of a billion euros in aid for…
Adieu, Chateau Marmont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:14
At the eastern end of the Sunset Strip is a hotel called Chateau Marmont. For many years it's been the favourite hang-out spot of movie stars and writers; but now the Chateau’s owner has announced the hotel is about to b…
75 Years On: Remembering Hiroshima [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:58
75 years ago this week, a devastating atomic bomb changed world history. What can we learn from these events? Guest:Koko Kondo, Hiroshima bomb survivor and peace campaigner.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips used: NBC, Imperial W…
Turkish Uighurs and the Exiled Poet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:02
Stories about the persecution of China’s Muslim Uighur minority have been in the news in recent weeks. We hear the story of one man living in Turkey: Abdurehim Parac, a Uighur poet in exile.Guests: Hannah Lucinda Smith,…
Insight Investigation: The SAS killing squad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:18
A High Court case been brought by a young man whose family were shot dead by a rogue SAS unit in Afghanistan. The trial has led to the release of documents which suggest a horrifying pattern of night-raid killings, cover…
Meghan and Harry: The inside story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:01
Why did the Duke and Duchess of Sussex really quit royal life? A new book purports to take readers into their inner sanctum. Guests:Valentine Low, Times Royal correspondent. Andrew Billen, Features writer.Host: Manveen R…