Watermelon Pictures has acquired the documentary “Everything Is Not OK,” directed by Dev Benegal, for exclusive streaming on its platform, Watermelon+. The film chronicles the life of artist Judith Blum Reddy, exploring how the Holocaust and displacement shaped her work.
The documentary connects Reddy’s story with those of artists Nil Yalter, Zarina, and Camille Billops, all of whom addressed displacement in their art. It also incorporates poetry from Palestinian, Kashmiri, and Indian poets, framing the film as a reflection on remembering lost homes and the power of artistic resistance. According to Benegal, “For Judy, making art is an act of confrontation. An act of liberation. A refusal to let erasure win.” He describes “Everything Is Not OK” as a meditation on creation, remembrance, and resistance through art when silence is no longer an option.
Annemarie Jacir, director of “Palestine 36,” is serving as executive producer, drawn to the film’s themes of memory and resistance. Jacir stated, “In a moment when the world tilts towards intolerance, Judy’s story is a reminder that memory refuses to disappear and art can still be an act of resistance.” Jacir and actor Adam Bakri contribute voice work to readings of revolutionary poetry within the film.
Benegal previously directed “English, August” and “Road, Movie.” A restored version of “English, August,” based on Upamanyu Chatterjee’s novel, is currently screening at the Venice Film Festival. The creative team for “Everything Is Not OK” includes Jean-Luc Panda as cinematographer, Dhruv Goel composing the music, Mona Gesbel as editor, Anurag Jadhao on sound design, and Rob Sciarratta as colorist. Producers are Maya S. Patel and Neeraj Jain of Min(d) Studio, with Jain also handling additional cinematography. Watermelon Pictures, launched in 2024, has previously distributed “From Ground Zero,” “All That’s Left of You,” and “Palestine 36,” all shortlisted for the Academy Award’s international feature category, as well as the Oscar-nominated “The Voice of Hind Rajab.” Hamza Ali and Badie Ali founded the platform, which went online in May 2025, and aims to be the largest collection of Palestinian film available on a single platform.
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