Lemon Tree

Salma Zidane lives in a tiny Palestinian village. She is 45 years old and a widow. Her children have left home, and she is alone. When the Israeli minister of defence builds a house in the neighbourhood, Selma’s lemon trees come to the attention of his bodyguards. Her trees are a security risk. They can hide terrorists and impede the bodyguards in their work. The lemon trees were planted by Salma’s family many generations ago – they are synonymous with Salma’s family history. Salma gets herself a lawyer. But Ziad Daud is up against a battery of clever military lawyers, all of whom are covered by the top brass. It’s an unfair battle, that isn’t made any easier when the 45-year-old widow falls in love with her lawyer.

Awards & Festivals: Panorama Audience Award – Berlin 2008