There Was Nothing Here Before

2024 1h 11m AR

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A Swiss filmmaker of Palestinian origin travels to the West Bank to make sense of the break-up with a childhood friend who became a Jewish settler. While trying to understand why their friendship has not held up in the face of the political situation, he reveals his own tragic family history in Palestine.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Yvann Yagchi
Writers: Aurora Vögeli, Yvann Yagchi
Languages: Arabic, English, French, Hebrew
Countries: Switzerland

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 71-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 2 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Arabic, English, French, Hebrew.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Séverine Vaëna. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Selin Dettwiler shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt31079028 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Yvann Yagchi directs. Séverine Vaëna scores. Selin Dettwiler cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Switzerland. Dialogue in Arabic, English, French, Hebrew.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 71-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released 2 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Arabic, English, French, Hebrew.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Original score by Séverine Vaëna. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Selin Dettwiler shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7IMDB entry: tt31079028 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.