Al-Ma’atah is a term Palestinians use to describe the narrow, circular turnstile at checkpoints — barely wide enough for one person to pass. The name comes from the chicken-plucker machine, evoking the dehumanizing experience of movement control.

Across the West Bank, over 700 Israeli obstacles — from gates and roadblocks to earth mounds and trenches — fragment Palestinian life. These barriers bring not only physical hardship, such as long waits, strip searches, and forced detours, but also deep emotional impacts, from anger and confusion to fear and a sense of disorientation.

This stop-motion animation tells a continuous story in a loop, mirroring the repetitive nature of the checkpoint experience. Through expressive materials, symbolic visuals, and a vibrant aesthetic, the work channels frustration into creative catharsis — fostering empathy, awareness, and connection.