With the founding of Watermelon Pictures, fashion designer Alana Hadid—sister of supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid—has entered the world of film distribution and production, according to Deadline. With an emphasis on social advocacy and cultural representation, Watermelon Pictures, an independent film company owned by Palestinians, aims to provide a global platform for marginalized filmmakers.
According to the company’s website, its goal highlights its commitment to elevating perspectives that are frequently underrepresented in the film business. The goal of Watermelon Pictures is to promote creative resistance as a potent instrument for social change while bringing attention to stories that have long been ignored.
The first production from Watermelon Pictures, the documentary Walled Off, explores the history of the Walled Off Hotel, a distinctive building in Bethlehem that faces the Israeli West Bank barrier wall. The hotel, which was financed and designed by the well-known British graffiti artist Banksy, is a representation of creative resistance against political persecution.
A number of well-known people have contributed to Walled Off, including Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, who is well-known for his controversial political views, and Alana Hadid’s brother, American-Palestinian model and musician Anwar Hadid. The famous South African statesman Nelson Mandela grandson Kweku Mandela is also a part of the production. As Creative Director of Watermelon Pictures, Alana shared her mission for the organization: “We want to give marginalized voices a safe space where they may pursue creative resistance.With the distribution of our films, we hope to enlighten and motivate viewers everywhere to confront injustice.
Apart from its dedication to social activism, Watermelon Pictures incorporates Palestinian culture as a primary motif in its brand identity. According to the company’s statement, the famous fruit that matches the colors of the Palestinian flag symbolizes the tenacity and vitality of Palestinian history. With its efforts to promote meaningful discourse and highlight varied storylines, Watermelon Pictures is taking a big step toward diversity and representation in the international cinema business.
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