Sebastia

The film presents Sebastia, located northwest of Nablus, Palestine. This town has a rich archaeological history, having been excavated multiple times throughout the last century by colonial archaeologists, including a notable excavation in 1908 led by Harvard University. These excavations exploited local labor, taking valuable artifacts while leaving behind debris and destruction.

Sebastia is surrounded by the illegal Israeli settlement of Shavei Shomron and confiscated fields, adding layers to the existing tensions. The documentary highlights the ongoing struggles over the site, particularly the Roman Forum, which has become a focal point of contestation between locals and external forces, including the Israeli military. Despite these challenges, the resilience of the local community shines through as they navigate the complexities of their heritage and identity in this contested space.