Free Zone (film)

Free Zone is a 2005 Israeli-Belgian-Spanish drama film directed by Amos Gitai. The film stars Natalie Portman, Hana Laszlo, and Hiam Abbass and explores themes of borders, identity, and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The narrative follows Rebecca (Portman), an American woman in Jerusalem, who is driven by a taxi driver named Hanna (Laszlo) to the "free zone" on the Jordanian-Syrian border. Hanna is on a mission to retrieve money owed to her husband by a Palestinian businessman. They are later joined by Leila (Abbass), a Palestinian woman connected to the businessman. The film unfolds as the three women navigate the political and personal tensions of the region, confronting issues of trust, displacement, and loss.

Free Zone premiered at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, where Hana Laszlo won the award for Best Actress. The film is notable for its minimalist style, its focus on the female perspective, and its exploration of the psychological impact of the conflict on ordinary people.