Protest has always been the heartbeat of democracy, a way to hold power accountable, a platform for the voiceless, and a vessel for change. History has shown that when people take to the streets, movements are born. And yet, the ephemeral energy of a protest can often be lost, diluted, or misrepresented when filtered through the lens of mainstream media. Documenting these moments becomes crucial — not just to capture the struggle and the pain, but to preserve the courage, and humanity of those who stand undeterred.

In the wake of the genocide that has been unfolding in Gaza since October 7, a question emerged: how does one capture the essence of a movement that is at once political, deeply personal, and profoundly human?

This question became the guiding principle behind ‘Heart of a Protest’, a zero-budget documentary made in the UK that captures the Palestine Solidarity Campaign National Marches held across London. In a conversation with Homegrown, Ishika Seal, who conceptualized the film, reflects on the power of protest: “It has always been civil disobedience; it has been people taking to the streets that have driven movements forward. Documenting and creating solidarity isn’t just an abstract idea — it exists in the everyday acts that give meaning to life.”

This idea led Ishika to join hands with Shauna James, a gig photographer with over nine years of experience, who felt her previous work wasn’t resonating with the way she wanted to give back. It was at this intersection that Heart of a Protest was born. The documentary aims to give audiences an on-the-ground view of what happens at a protest, contrasting it with the ‘arm’s-length’ narrative often portrayed by mainstream media. From nearly getting arrested to ensuring every interviewee consented to be on camera, the logistics were tricky. Yet, small, silent moments, like partners writing each other’s numbers on their palms in case they got lost, kept Ishika and Shauna going.

The documentary’s production itself was a testament to solidarity and passion. With no budget, the team relied entirely on a team who were drawn not by money but by purpose. Everyone, from Arpan Kumar who worked on sound to Arwa Hanin who lended her voice to the project, joined with a shared conviction: that the staggering reality of the Gaza crisis must reach a larger audience to open people’s eyes. Amidst the grief and despair, the crew found the documentary’s heartbeat in hope — a hope so fierce it sometimes seemed ludicrous; one that echoed the unflinching sentiment of, “I believe we will win.”

Shauna talks about the stark duality of hope and hate that they saw at the protests. “We spoke to a very pro-Israeli man holding a big banner that said, ‘There is no genocide. Stop saying lies.’” Yet, despite moments like that, Shauna says the overwhelming sense of humanity and togetherness outshone the indifference. “From where we were standing, we could see the entire protest moving across Tower Bridge , and that image became the poster for our documentary.”

For Shaurya Lenka, the editor, maintaining integrity meant embracing subjectivity. “We’re not putting out news. It’s a documentary, and it’s our documentary,” he says. “While you keep a certain level of neutrality for the viewer to decide what’s right or wrong, it would be strange not to have our thoughts and emotions in it.” Shaurya also reflects on the responsibility of witnesses — that even from afar, amplifying Palestinian voices is the least one can do. In light of the death of Awdah Hathaleen, one of the makers of the Oscar-winning 'No Other Land', that responsibility feels heavier. “The risks they face are far greater than ours,” he adds. “So even small acts of awareness matter.”

In one of my college classes, I watched P. Sainath’s 'Nero’s Guests' (2009), a documentary that highlights India’s agrarian crisis through the haunting metaphor of Nero burning prisoners to light his garden, while his guests, the educated elite, simply watched. In many ways, this mirrors how much of the world is silently watching the genocide in Palestine today.

I remember the discomfort Nero’s Guests stirred in me — the realisation of my own privilege, and the uneasy guilt of silence. I feel it again now, scrolling through endless footage of devastation, unable to look away, yet unsure how to help. As the world grows increasingly propelled by hate and propaganda, with nations closing borders and hearts, blaming the displaced for “taking their jobs”, we seem to be descending into the same apathy Sainath once warned of.

It’s been two years since the Israeli occupation deepened, and the people of Gaza need us now more than ever. Whether it’s through me writing this piece, the Heart of a Protest team crafting their film, or simply acknowledging another’s grief, our duty remains the same. We cannot be Nero’s guests, watching the fire from a distance. We must bear witness, and we must tell the truth.

'Heart of a Protest' is set to be screened across multiple universities in the UK, beginning with the University of Leeds on October 14, with more screenings to follow.

You can learn more about the film here.

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From Bengal To Gaza, Famine Has Always Been The Weapon Of Choice For Colonial Powers

Between Two Homelands: India, Palestine, & I

Joy As Resistance: Pranav Reddy's ‘Occupied’ Captures The Rebellion Of Palestinian Artists