5 Broken Cameras
A Palestinian father’s intimate camera archive transforms years of village resistance, family growth, and political violence into a moving act of testimony.
Overview
A poignant exploration of resistance through the lens of a father’s love and a community's struggle.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- defiant
- intimate
- melancholic
- political film discussion
- documentary night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a gripping, lyrical, and moving autobiographical documentary whose intimate footage gives unusual force to Palestinian nonviolent resistance, while noting its openly advocacy-oriented perspective.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Emad Burnat narrates his experience while filming his village, friends, wife, and children over more than five years.
Five cameras are broken or destroyed during the filming, and each device marks a portion of Emad's story.
Gibreel's growth and the Burnat family's daily life unfold alongside demonstrations, arrests, raids, and attacks on villagers.
The film presents an explicitly pro-Palestinian perspective on the barrier and settlement policy while centering Emad's personal viewpoint.
Films like 5 Broken Cameras, and why
The Act of Killing
first-person documentary witnessing political violence and community resistance through intimate personal footage
The Gatekeepers
observational political documentary combining family life with sustained attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Budrus
handheld documentary portrait of nonviolent resistance, occupation, and everyday Palestinian life
Harlan County War
personal filmmaking used to document prolonged social struggle and contested history
Movie Details
- Directors
- Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi
- Release Date
- 2011-11-23
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (104)
Cast
- Emad Burnat
- Soraya Burnat
- Gibreel Burnat
- Mohammed Burnat
- Yasin Burnat
- Taki-Ydin Burnat
- Muhammad Burnat
- Intisar Burnat
- Bassem Abu-Rahma "Phil"
- Adeeb Abu-Rahma
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- OVID, Chai Flicks, Kino Film Collection
- Rent
- Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is 5 Broken Cameras about?
- A Palestinian father’s intimate camera archive transforms years of village resistance, family growth, and political violence into a moving act of testimony.
- What is 5 Broken Cameras like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 5 Broken Cameras as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is 5 Broken Cameras violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in 5 Broken Cameras as moderate.
- What did critics think of 5 Broken Cameras?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a gripping, lyrical, and moving autobiographical documentary whose intimate footage gives unusual force to Palestinian nonviolent resistance, while noting its openly advocacy-oriented perspective.
- Which films are like 5 Broken Cameras?
- Films with a similar feel include The Act of Killing, The Gatekeepers, Budrus, and Harlan County War.
- How long is 5 Broken Cameras?
- 5 Broken Cameras runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch 5 Broken Cameras?
- In United States, 5 Broken Cameras streams on OVID, Chai Flicks, Kino Film Collection.
