directed by: Sameh Zoabi, year: 2019
actors: Kais Nashef

Tel Aviv on Fire is a sharp, warm comedy about borders and belonging. Salam, a Palestinian waiter in a Tel Aviv restaurant, is drawn into a surreal cross-border situation when a TV crew mistakes him for the writer of a hit soap opera. Forced to improvise under pressure, he balances demands from a stern Israeli liaison and a bold actress, while a fragile romance sparks between cultures. Through laughter, the film probes how identities are performed and how stereotypes crumble in intimate moments. It follows Salam's efforts to protect his job and his dignity while navigating love, loyalty, and political tension in a city where two worlds collide daily. Director Sameh Zoabi crafts a tender, witty fable about crossing borders with humanity rather than walls.

Palestinian Cinema, Comedy Drama, Romantic Comedy, Palestinian Israeli Relations, Cross Cultural, Tel Aviv