Musa Hadid, the mayor of Ramallah and an engineer by training, oversees a bustling and creative city. As a Palestinian leader in a challenging historical moment, he’s persistent in response to the constraints of military occupation and settlement. This masterful observational film shows the mayor’s steady resistance when his city is sealed off or raided by the occupation, when settlers pour their sewage onto Palestinian property, or when soldiers shoot at kids in streets designated “Area A” (supposed to be under full Palestinian civil and security control). Nuanced editing creates meaningful connections that shed light on how the world views the Holy Land, from President Trump to Prince William to visiting European dignitaries. The camera captures attempts to promote Ramallah with the playful “WeRamallah” branding and a Las Vegas–style dancing fountain. When the fountain is threatened, it provides a remarkable cinematic metaphor for the tenacity of Palestinians in the face of asymmetrical violence and systematic obstacles.  NK