“We are all under the same sun” – these are the opening words of the film Land of Canaan by Maggie Lemere, director, oral history scholar and National Geographic explorer. The story is set in Palestine, a land ravaged by war. At the heart of the narrative lies the olive tree, a symbol of peace and life. Through their labour, Palestinian farmers defy those who seek to displace them, nurturing their trees as a source of wealth to pass on to their children; a tradition and legacy handed down, given to us by our parents. The land of Canaan has an abundance of ancient, centuries-old olive trees, whose fruit provides life-sustaining sustenance, thanks to a solidarity-based economy. The olive tree is not merely an economic resource, but the very lifeblood binding together the past and the future, a link between generations and nature, and a millennia-old symbol of identity and resilience. The film is a condemnation of war but also a message of peace: “What does your religion matter,” says one of the protagonists, “Muslim, Jewish, Christian – we all share the same sky. When we are in harmony with the earth, there is peace.” Through the land, the people reassert their existence and their right to guard their heritage.