Documentary 'House of Hope' chronicles Waldorf school’s resistance in occupied West Bank
Director Marjolein Busstra’s film follows Manar Wahhab and Milad Vosgueritchian as they maintain a sanctuary for children in al-Eizariya, emphasising non-violent philosophy amid escalating regional violence.
A new documentary titled 'House of Hope', directed by Marjolein Busstra, offers an institutional and personal account of a Waldorf-inspired primary school operating in al-Eizariya, in the occupied West Bank. Produced by Think-Film, the film centres on the efforts of Manar Wahhab and her husband, Milad Vosgueritchian, to provide holistic education and emotional stability for children living under military occupation. The documentary has garnered significant international attention, winning the best international feature prize at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in May 2026 and receiving a screening at UNESCO in Paris.
The narrative follows the couple’s establishment of the House of Hope Vision Kindergarten & School, which utilises the Waldorf pedagogical approach to emphasise creativity, non-violent resistance, and inner healing. Busstra, who spent three years filming the family and travelled to the West Bank nine times, noted that the project began with a focus on the school but evolved into an exploration of Wahhab’s inner life. The director highlighted the shared values of trust and humanity that allowed the crew to document vulnerable moments, including periods of exhaustion and illness, to present an authentic representation of the family’s reality.
Wahhab described the school as a space created to counter the hardships surrounding their community, aiming to protect children’s dignity and agency. She stated that the institution was born from a desire to offer a different kind of education, one that allows children to express their emotions and cope with the trauma of occupation. According to Wahhab, the school’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that non-violence requires courage and inner work, serving as a deliberate refusal to let external violence shape the children’s internal world.
The tone of the documentary shifted significantly following the Hamas incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli military response. Busstra observed that the story became heavier as the family experienced increased distress and the constant threat of military action in the West Bank. Wahhab noted that while the school provided a safe haven, the occupation remained a pervasive pressure, with daily life marked by fears of checkpoints and detention. She emphasised that the family’s request was for basic human rights, including the right to live with dignity and safety.
Think-Film, the production company behind the documentary, is also known for 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', a film about a five-year-old girl killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024. Wahhab expressed hope that 'House of Hope' would challenge Western stereotypes and offer a more nuanced perspective of Palestinian life, moving beyond narratives of violence to show the essence of daily existence. The film is scheduled for screening at the Jerusalem Arab Film Festival, continuing its tour of international platforms.
