The potential scandal of romance between an Israeli and a Palestinian is only one reason they can’t be seen. The film gradually brings Saleem’s pregnant wife (Maisa Abd Elhadi) and Sarah’s husband (Ishai Golan), a colonel in the Israeli military, closer to the truth, even as it shows how suspicion and bureaucracy raise the political stakes for all involved.

The lovers’ relative guilt looks different inside and outside their homes. Alayan’s light directorial touch can make the storytelling seem overly straightforward. But his tight control over the proceedings becomes clear in a closing shot that elegantly encapsulates the film’s complexities.

The Reports on Sarah and Saleem

Not rated. In Arabic, English and Hebrew, with English subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 7 minutes.