The war that broke out a year ago is still ongoing and it seems premature, and even impossible, to recap it. However, cinema can perhaps give us some distant perspective through its observation of other events, similar but different, that took place in other places and times. To mark the anniversary of October 7, we will show several films that will try to offer a perspective on the days passed and those still before us.
Sunday, 29.09.2024 will be dedicated to the face of war. We will present two films showing the war from the eyes of the leaders and those in combat. The first, Errol Morris's masterful "The Fog of War," in which Mossir interviews Robert McNamara, the American Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War, is a good reflection on the limitations of power, and the wisdom of hindsight, on concepts of victory and responsibility. The second film "A War," by the Danish director Tobias Lindholm, deals with the experience of f a platoon commander from the Danish army fighting in Afghanistan. He offers a look at the military commitment, the distance from family, and the moral and legal dilemmas in fighting terrorism hiding among civilians.
Film critic Benjamin Tovias ("Yedioth Ahronoth") will open the evening with a lecture about what cinema can teach about the war.
Monday, September 30, 2024, will be dedicated to trauma and dealing with the emotional impact of trauma. "Paris Memories" focuses on one woman's attempts to restore some stability in her life after a terrorist attack. This is an accurate depiction of emotional breakdown and growth. "You Will Not Have My Hate" by German director Kilian Riedhof
describes the true story of Antoine Leiris who lost his wife in the Bataclan attack, and the way he chose to deal with the pain, loss, and grief.
Shira Brukner, Clinical psychologist and expert in treating extreme conditions with a rich background in therapy and management of therapeutic teams in crises will present an opening lecture.
Tuesday, 01.10.2024, will be dedicated to life in the shadow of the war. With the films "Little Women" and "The Holdovers." In both the dramatic plot takes place against the background of war (the American Civil War in the first and the Vietnam War in the second), and in both, the influence of the war passes through the lives of its protagonists, present, and absent. Most importantly, both films end with the understanding of the power of education and teaching as a means of generosity and redemption for the heroes and the community.
With these two films, we will end the Hebrew year. We hope that next year will be a year of healing and peace. Shannah Tova.
