On April 17, 2024, a group of Columbia University students initialized a unique form of protest, setting up camp on the University's Butler Lawn. This action was in direct response to the administration's persistent dismissal of their pleas to divest from Israel. To bring more attention to their cause, and overcome the criminalization of their peaceful demonstrations, they identified their campsite as a “liberated zone.”

The Encampments, a new documentary produced by Watermelon Pictures and backed by Macklemore, offers an immersive account of this student-led protest. Trackers of this trend noticed its ripple effect on other college campuses throughout the U.S and globally, triggering widespread solidarity with Palestine. Despite being accused of anti-semitism and suffering mischaracterized motives by the media and a few politicians, this movement persisted.

The documentary features detailed accounts of four significant participants of the encampment-Mahmoud Khalil, Sueda Polat, Grant Miner, and Naye Idriss. Their accounts describe the progression of the movement, offering insights into the preceding university divestment campaign. Another exciting aspect of the documentary was the recounting of the history of campus protests at Columbia University, focusing on the 1968 protests against the Vietnam War.

As proof of the film's relevance, Watermelon Pictures hastened its American release in response to significant harrowing developments. Mahmoud Khalil was arrested, and Grant Miner expelled from the University, presenting potent repercussions of student-led activism. This has brought The Encampments significant attention and transformed it from a documentary about vital student protest to a critique of the reaction and handling of such protests.

The Encampments expertly showcases the impact of Israel's unchecked actions in the West Bank and Gaza as in From Ground Zero and No Other Land. Furthermore, it explores the American aspect of such a global issue, emphasizing scholarly engagement and dialogues as tools for change.

The filmmakers introduced the major players in the movement, discussed their histories of organizing for Palestine, and analyzed how the University had disregarded calls for divestment. The documentary also placed current protests within the historical context of Columbia student movements. By drawing parallels between the 2024 camp and the 1968 movement against the Vietnam War, The Encampments becomes a more critical watch.

As the movement ensues, it witnesses police actions against student protests. These alarming developments, which include brute force and violations of fundamental civil liberties, draw even more importance to the film. The Encampments is a stark reminder of the struggles of movements and a call to action against this continually incognito form of retaliation against student protests.