Ghost Hunting

Ghost Hunting, also known as Istiyad Ashbah, is a deeply moving 2017 film that combines elements of documentary, staged reenactment, and direct testimony to speak about the suffering, resilience, and valor of Palestinian political prisoners. The film was directed by Raed Andoni and features Ramzi Maqdisi, Mohammed Khattab, and Wafa Mari in compelling performances that bring to life the harrowing experiences of incarcerated Palestinians.

The film primarily centers around former inmates' narratives, where each character recollects his intimate experiences and memories about what is now an infamous Israeli detention center, the Moskobiya interrogation centre in Jerusalem. It is at this location that countless young Palestinians have been imprisoned, interrogated and, often, brutally tortured. The film unfolds progressively by reconstructing this interrogation center from inmates' memories, using former prisoners as actors and other craftsmen (masons, blacksmiths, carpenters, painters) to recreate the detention center.

This becomes an especially powerful narrative device when you realize that director Raed Andoni is among the men who were incarcerated there. The process of recreating their collective trauma within the bounds of a makeshift film set provides a therapeutic catharsis for the former detainees while also serving as a visual manifestation of their shared experiences.

Ramzi Maqdisi plays the character of Adnan, a young charismatic leader who's the power source of hope in the film and guides others through the painful and healing process. Mohammed Khattab delivers a potent performance as young Raed Andoni, poignantly portraying the director's own experiences as a 15-year-old boy in the prison. Wafa Mari, too, does a brilliant job in the portrayal of his character, combining emotion with a deep sense of realism.

Stylistically, Ghost Hunting is a blend of traditional dialogue-driven scenes, verbatim theatre, direct-to-camera monologues, and evocative cinematic sequences. This unique composition adds to the narrative, honoring individual experiences while framing them within a shared historical context. The combination of personal narratives with the visual reconstruction of the prison provides viewers with a powerful sense of the detainees' lived experiences, offering a perspective often unseen and unheard in global discourse.

The cinematography, handled by Camille Cotte and Lionel Perrin, plays a crucial role in this film. The imagery is haunting, with shadows and low light adding a particularly tensed atmosphere that mirrors the psychological impact of the experiences being recollected. Eerie and unsettling, yet poignant in each frame, the cinematography contributes significantly to the film's overall impact.

Andoni's direction is carefully executed. He gradually uncovers a multi-layered narrative shaped by interweaving accounts of individuals, combining it with the stark yet impactful dramatization. It's apparent from his vision that Ghost Hunting is as much about confronting the past as it is about empowering the present and the future.

In conclusion, Ghost Hunting is not just a film, but an emotional journey that bravely compels its viewer to bear witness to the shared human capacity for endurance in the face of extreme adversity. It transcends the definition of a typical documentary or drama, becoming instead an intimate exploration of memory, trauma, and most importantly, survival. It raises its voice on a global platform, pushing the discourse on Israeli-Palestinian relations but remains deeply personal at its core. An essential watch for those who wish to understand more about resilience and the power of shared memories. The characters' raw emotion, the haunting visuals, and the inclusive narrative make this film an unforgettable experience.