Mohanad Yaqubi’s ‘Revolutionaries Never Die’ Picked Up by Square Eyes

A Global Spotlight on Palestinian Cinema

The international festival circuit is buzzing as Vienna-based sales agency Square Eyes officially announced its acquisition of world sales rights for Revolutionaries Never Die. The feature documentary, helmed by acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Mohanad Yaqubi, is poised to make its world premiere at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival. Competing in the Concorso Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present) section, the project has already garnered significant attention for its deep historical inquiry and cinematic ambition.

The Genesis of a Cinematic Archive

At the heart of Revolutionaries Never Die lies a profound act of artistic inheritance. The film’s origins date back to 2018, when the late, legendary Lebanese filmmaker Jocelyne Saab reached out to Yaqubi. Saab, a pioneer in Middle Eastern cinema known for her unflinching documentation of the Lebanese Civil War and the Palestinian struggle, entrusted Yaqubi with a unique mission.

As Saab’s health declined, she sought to ensure that her extensive archive—a treasure trove of footage documenting decades of revolutionary history and personal narrative—would be preserved and reinterpreted for a new generation. Yaqubi, whose previous work has consistently explored the intersection of archival memory and political identity, accepted the challenge, turning the footage into an intimate dialogue between two filmmakers separated by time but united by the camera.

Why Square Eyes Bet on Yaqubi

Square Eyes, known for championing bold, experimental, and socially conscious cinema, identified Revolutionaries Never Die as a standout title for this year’s market. The agency’s decision to back the film underscores a growing market appetite for documentaries that treat archival material not merely as a record of the past, but as a living, breathing entity that informs contemporary political discourse.

"Mohanad Yaqubi has a rare ability to bridge the gap between historical documentation and modern narrative tension," a representative from the agency noted. By securing the rights now, Square Eyes aims to position the film for a robust theatrical and educational rollout following its Swiss debut.

The Significance of the Locarno Selection

The Concorso Cineasti del Presente at Locarno is renowned for highlighting emerging voices and innovative storytelling techniques. By debuting here, Revolutionaries Never Die is being positioned among the most rigorous and forward-thinking works in global documentary film.

For Yaqubi, this premiere is more than just a festival slot; it is the culmination of years of meticulous editing and archival research. The film asks difficult questions about the nature of revolution, the burden of memory, and the responsibility of the documentarian in a world that often seeks to erase history.

What to Expect from the Film

While specific plot details remain closely guarded, industry insiders suggest the film will feature:

• Unseen Footage: A curated selection of rare archival clips provided by the Saab estate.
• Reflective Commentary: Voiceovers and narrative threads that explore the philosophy of filmmaking as a revolutionary act.
• Historical Context: A deep dive into the Palestinian struggle and its interconnectedness with broader liberation movements in the Arab world.

As the industry prepares for the Locarno Film Festival, all eyes will be on how audiences respond to this collaborative masterwork. Revolutionaries Never Die stands as a testament to the idea that while individuals may pass, the spirit of their work—and the stories they capture—remains immortal.