‘Laila’s Birthday’ tracks one man’s search for normalcy

Here’s a film that speaks volumes about the nightmarish daily reality of the Palestinian occupied territories without resorting to kitschy sensationalism or off-putting, manipulating sentimentality. Rashid Masharawi’s latest sublime work “Eid Milad Laila” (Laila’s Birthday) is essentially a black comedy expounding the chaos, confusion and carelessness brought by more than 50 years of resistance, peace-negotiations and failed bureaucracies. The film is another outstanding Palestinian entry in...