BBC Current Affairs and This World have commissioned a new documentary for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on the lives of four young people living in Gaza as they try to survive the conflict, “presenting an unflinching and vivid view of life in a warzone.”
Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone (W/T) is co-directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Jamie Roberts (Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods, Escape from Kabul Airport, Four Hours at the Capitol) and Yousef Hammash, whose world leading reportage on Gaza won a BAFTA and Emmy in 2024.
Jamie Roberts, Co-Director HOYO Films, says: “Foreign journalists have not been permitted to go independently into Gaza to report since the start of the war. We’re proud to have made what we believe to be the only truly observational film in Gaza during the conflict. This film gained access during an historic period in time, a testament to our team in London and Gaza who’ve worked tirelessly to bring this dramatic and complex film to screen.”
Jamie Roberts and Yousef Hammash remotely directed two Gazan cameramen – Amjad Al Fayoumi and Ibrahim Abu Ishaiba – over nine months, gaining access to key locations out of reach to foreign press. The documentary sheds new light on life inside Gaza’s humanitarian ‘safe-zone’ – showing everyday life with ongoing airstrikes and efforts to keep people alive in its only functioning hospital, the Al-Aqsa.
This film is narrated by Abdullah, a 13 year old who asks: “have you ever wondered what you’d do if your world was destroyed?” He guides viewers through his life in the safe-zone, where we also meet Renad, aged 10, Zakaria, aged 11 and Rana, aged 24. Despite terrifying air strikes and sudden evacuations, there are moments of hope and they attempt to go about normal life – cooking, relaxing at the beach, organising weddings and, in the case of Rana, giving birth.
Jo Carr, Head of BBC Current Affairs, says: “The attack of October 7th and subsequent events in Gaza have dominated the news for over a year. It’s a story of immense consequence, and I am delighted that Jamie and Yousef have found a way to bring this unique insight to our audiences.”
The documentary will tx on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in mid February.
Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone (W/T) is the second documentary from HOYO Films for the BBC and follows the critically acclaimed documentary Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods broadcast on BBC Two in 2024.
The Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Gian Quaglieni, Current Affairs and Sarah Waldron, This World. It is co-directed by Jamie Roberts and Yousef Hammash and is Executive Produced by Jonathan Smith and edited by Kate Spankie.
Jon Creamer
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