ISTANBUL Vin Arfuso, the man behind the groundbreaking documentary Walled Off, is on a mission to reshape perceptions of Palestine. From guerrilla-style filmmaking to launching a Palestinian-led film company, Arfuso’s journey as an American film director and producer of Palestinian and Italian descent, is a testament to perseverance, artistry, and activism. Growing up in New York, Arfuso began his career as a production assistant, eventually working his way up to creating his own projects.
By the time he embarked on Walled Off, he had a wealth of experience shooting for musical artists and fashion models while developing his voice as a storyteller. The film, set against the backdrop of British street artist Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, sought to connect American audiences with the Palestinian experience through an accessible and visually engaging narrative. "I always wanted to make a Palestinian documentary," Arfuso told Anadolu in an interview at the 15th TRT International Documentary Awards, emphasizing the deeply personal inspiration behind the project.
"Prior to Oct. 7, nobody really knew anything about Palestine," he said. "If they did, it was either as helpless victims or terrorists.
But there was no in-between of humanity. No one talked about doctors, lawyers, gym teachers, musicians -- just humanity. That’s what I wanted to show.
" Filming in Palestine was fraught with challenges, including the confiscation of his camera equipment. "When we landed in T.
