Watch Ghost Hunting

Ghost Hunting is a Palestinian documentary film directed by Raed Andoni that is centered on a group of middle-aged men who were once prisoners during the Israeli occupation of Palestine. The film explores their experiences of incarceration and their struggle to find their place in the world after being released. The documentary begins with the director, Raed Andoni, holding casting sessions in order to find the right men for his project. He selects a group of ex-prisoners from different backgrounds, each with their own story of incarceration. They are taken to an abandoned building in Ramallah, which used to be an Israeli prison, to recreate their experiences of being locked up.

The men are given the task of building a replica of their old prison from memory. They are also asked to share their experiences of incarceration and talk about how it has affected them mentally and emotionally. As they work together to recreate the prison, the men begin to open up about their struggles and emotions. The director listens intently to their stories and helps them to channel their pain into their work.

Throughout the film, we see the men struggle with their past traumas and their feelings of disorientation in the present. Some of the men have been unable to find employment or settle back into their former lives since their release, while others have turned to drugs and alcohol to cope.

Using a mix of interviews and footage from the building project, Ghost Hunting explores themes of masculinity, trauma, and healing. The film offers a rare glimpse into the experiences of ex-prisoners in Palestine, shedding light on the human side of a political conflict.

The documentary also touches on larger themes of power, resistance, and occupation. As the men work together to recreate their old prison, they begin to exert their own power over the space that once controlled them. Through their work, they come to realize that their experiences of incarceration are not isolated incidents but part of a larger system of oppression.

The director himself is also a key figure in the film, as he pushes the men to confront their past traumas and emotions. He is a sympathetic ear and a compassionate presence, guiding the men towards healing through their work on the building project.

Overall, Ghost Hunting is a moving and emotionally charged documentary that offers a powerful insight into the experiences of ex-prisoners in Palestine. It is a testament to the resilience and humanity of those who have survived trauma and continue to strive towards a better future.