It Must Be Heaven

Filmmaker Elia Suleiman embarks on a journey to New York City, seeking a new home and a place to tell his story. As he travels, he encounters figures and situations that reflect aspects of his Palestinian homeland. The film uses humor and observational wit to explore themes of identity, belonging, and the absurdities of modern life.

It Must Be Heaven received widespread critical acclaim for its unique blend of humor and political commentary, with many praising Suleiman's distinctive directorial style and his ability to find the universal in the specific. Critics lauded its visual poetry and thought-provoking, yet lighthearted, approach to complex issues.

• Praised for its sophisticated visual style and absurdist humor.
• Applauded for its subtle yet pointed commentary on Palestinian identity and displacement.
• Noted for its unique, observational approach to filmmaking and its ability to provoke thought through laughter.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's intelligence, originality, and the director's masterful use of deadpan humor to tackle serious themes. Many found it to be a deeply personal yet universally relatable cinematic experience.

Won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film's premise of the director seeking a new home stems from Suleiman's own experiences and observations of the Palestinian diaspora and his feeling of being an outsider in different cities.