Filmmakers often use the element of surprise to direct actors for certain scenes to get authentic emotional responses. The directors of Ajami based their film entirely on this principal. Scandar Copti is an Oscar-nominated Palestinian filmmaker born and raised in Yafa. In 2009, his first full-length feature film “Ajami” won the Camera d’Or Special Mention at the Cannes Film Festival. His film was also nominated for the 82nd Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Film category and won more than 15 awards worldwide.

Image courtesy of interviewee