‘The Gaza Man’ began as a project to follow Mohammed Hamada, a 22-yeard old Palestinian weightlifter and champion, whom we believed would be the only athlete trapped in Gaza amid Israel’s war to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games. Paris would stand in stark contrast to the flattened streets of Rafah.
Before October 7, 2023, Mohammed was in training mode. Having placed 13th in the men's 96kg category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he knew what it took to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage. But 2023 presented a challenge beyond belief – a war and humanitarian crisis. Despite digging a mass grave for his neighbours, eating animal food, and ultimately losing 18 kilograms of weight, Mohammed remained determined to qualify for the Olympics. His journey would require escaping Gaza, traveling to Thailand for the International Weightlifting World Cup, and ultimately securing a wildcard entry to the Games. This would be a journey he undertook with his brother and coach, Hussam Hamada, who left his wife and three children behind in Gaza to pursue his brother’s Olympic dream.
The sheer determination of the Hamada brothers drove the core of our film. Our goal was to capture and reveal the remarkable drive and tenacity of this Palestinian athlete and his brother. Mohammed’s commitment to the journey, despite the uncertainty of qualifying and the ongoing war, is a testament not only to his physical strength but also to his mental resilience—a quality that defines every great athlete.
From the very beginning, we decided ‘The Gaza Man’ should be an observational documentary. This was a human story, and we felt it crucial to have Mohammed and Hussam Hamada as the primary narrators. The first challenge arose when they were in Gaza. Foreign press were blocked, so our team relied on freelancers.
When the producer first learned of the story, the brothers had already fled Northern Gaza and made their way on foot to Rafah, waiting for their visa applications to be approved so they could leave the strip and enter Egypt. They hoped to make it to the International Weightlifting Competition in Thailand, but there was no guarantee they would arrive in time. In Gaza, people are often notified the night before when they can catch a bus out, adding another layer of uncertainty to their journey.
The lack of in-person contact and unreliable internet made it difficult to establish rapport with the brothers. With limited resources, we requested video diaries, which became integral to shaping the early part of the film.
By chance, we were online when we learned the brothers had received their visas and would be leaving in hours. At 4 a.m. London time, the producer contacted key people and quickly arranged to capture their escape. Working with a local filmmaker, we filmed their journey through the Rafah border crossing, emotional farewells, and departure from Gaza.
The next challenge came in Thailand. After leaving Gaza, the brothers traveled to Phuket for the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup. With only a few days to prepare, we had to arrange a cinematographer and local crew, bring the director to Thailand, and secure accreditation. Once on location, our relationship with the brothers deepened as Mohammed resumed training. However, adjusting to life outside Gaza was difficult for the brothers, and the pressure of making it to the competition—having lost 18 kg and survived on very little food—made filming challenging. It was a constant balancing act between the director's vision and the brothers' emotional and physical state.
After the competition, Mohammed and Hussam traveled to Doha to wait for news of a wildcard entry given by the Olympic Committee to underrepresented countries. Although the Committee had specific dates for the announcement, the news didn’t come as expected, leaving our core team outside Qatar in limbo. At the last minute, we learned the Olympic Committee would be calling Mohammed with their decision. We quickly arranged for someone to capture the moment. Unfortunately, Mohammed didn’t receive the wildcard and wouldn’t be heading to the Paris Olympics. This setback forced us to quickly pivot and adjust our focus, editing his story during the Olympics to create a new angle. It was the most significant hurdle we faced, as our original pitch had fallen through, but we ultimately crafted a poignant new story.
When we set out to create ‘The Gaza Man’ we knew it would be a story of love, determination, and unpredictability. But there were many unknowns. Would the Hamada brothers make it out of Gaza? Would they reach Thailand? Would Mohammed secure a wildcard entry? And after the Olympics, what would happen?
Our goal was to create a documentary that not only explored the complex realities of the Palestinian experience, but also captured the authentic voices of those living it. ‘The Gaza Man’ follows two brothers on their journey, fighting against all odds for Palestinian representation on the world stage. Through this film, we sought to amplify their story and provide a platform for their voices.
The film’s impact goes beyond telling their story. By collaborating with local crews in Gaza and talent outside Palestine, such as a brilliant Palestinian composer who crafted the film's score, we made sure the film was rooted in Palestinian culture and perspectives. In doing so, we not only shared a powerful story but contributed to a larger movement for authentic Palestinian representation in the media.
‘The Gaza Man’ captures the raw emotion and vulnerability of an athlete under extreme stress, resonating both personally and globally. Set against the backdrop of the war on Gaza and the 2024 Olympics, the documentary speaks to personal sacrifice, resilience, and the universal desire to overcome hardship through sport. With over 735,000 views on YouTube alone, the impact of their story speaks for itself.