Gaza Surf Club

2016

1h 26m

Documentary

List

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

The resilience of Gaza's population is revealed through this documentary, which focuses on the world of the Strip's surfing enthusiasts.

Jay Weissberg

Variety

A group of young men, as well as a few girls, hit the waves as a way of mentally escaping the Gaza Strip in this handsome, uplifting documentary.

Dec 27, 2016

Full Review

Victor Stiff

Goomba Stomp

Gaza Surf Club's earnest cast, inspiring story, and gorgeous cinematography makes it worthy of a spot on your watch-list.

Mar 30, 2020

Full Review

Michael McNeely

That Shelf

It's when the two worlds - Ibrahim's and Sabah's - collide that the film seems to whisper in your ear of an urgent and necessary change that needs to happen.

Feb 21, 2019

Full Review

Josh Cabrita

Cinema Scope

Gaza Surf Club is Disney masquerading as "documentary."

Nov 10, 2017

Full Review

Julia Felsenthal

Vogue

Politics is not the point of Gaza Surf Club -- it is, in fact, barely mentioned -- but the political situation there informs every part of this project.

Mar 30, 2017

Full Review

David D'Arcy

Screen International

Gaza Surf Club skirts a direct discussion of politics. It's not necessary.

Sep 11, 2016

Full Review

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Audience Member

One of the best films at this year's Doc Fortnight follows a group of surfers as they surf and try to get by in their town in the Gaza Strip. Truly great film is full of wonderful people incredible images and one hell of a story . Its the tale of a group of people unable to go anywhere so they turn to something that gives them a fleeting sense of freedom. It will make you smile as it breaks your heart. A quietly political film, there are no grand speeches only a reporting of life on the sea shore. If one wants to know what the film is all about one need only look at the bombed out building s and listen to the stories of life in the Gaza strip to know what the situation is. Its quiet revelations are more powerful than horrible stories or pictures because through the accumulated time spent with all of the people in the film we come to truly understand what the state of hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians is doing to the people and the landscape. And of course the film is about surfing. Beautifully shot the film has some of the best surfing sequences I've seen in a while. This is just a great movie. Highly recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Philip Gnadt

Director

Mickey Yamine

Director

Matthew Olsen

Actor

Tom Stone

Actor

Philip Gnadt

Writer

Mickey Yamine

Writer

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Synopsis

The resilience of Gaza's population is revealed through this documentary, which focuses on the world of the Strip's surfing enthusiasts.

Director: Philip Gnadt, Mickey Yamine
Producer: Andreas Schaap, Benny Theisen, Stephanie Yamine
Screenwriter: Philip Gnadt, Mickey Yamine
Production Co: Little Bridge Pictures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Arabic
Release Date (Streaming): May 4, 2017
Runtime: 1h 26m