The National Library of Israel's DocuText festival is back in Jerusalem, bringing a diverse range of documentaries to the city from August 16-20. This year's theme, 'Uncertainty', reflects the national mood amid international unrest. The festival offers a rich program of screenings, premieres, meetings with filmmakers, workshops, special exhibits, and outdoor performances, providing a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of film and history. Here's a closer look at some of the highlights.
One of the festival's most anticipated events is the premiere of 'The Sixteenth Sheep: The Reunion', directed by Ran Tal. This documentary tells the story of the iconic album 'The Sixteenth Sheep', a collaboration between author/lyricist Yehonatan Geffen and musician/composer Yoni Rechter. The album, released 48 years ago, set poems about a child who can't sleep to music, becoming an enduring classic that continues to resonate with both children and adults. The film captures the reunion of the original performers, including Gidi Gov, Yehudit Ravitz, and David Broza, as they revisit the album's creation and its impact on Israeli culture.
Another notable documentary is 'Aviv', directed by Tomer Heymann, which profiles Aviv Geffen, the son of Yehonatan Geffen. The film was made during Aviv Geffen's decade of extraordinary fame, offering a glimpse into the life of a singer-songwriter. Twenty-three years after its release, the screening will be followed by a live outdoor performance by Geffen and his band, HaTa'uyot, providing a unique opportunity to experience the artist's work in a live setting.
The festival also places a strong emphasis on writers and their archives. 'Things Were Like That', directed by Adi Arbel, explores the life and work of celebrated Israeli novelist Meir Shalev, who passed away in 2023. The documentary uses his books, recordings, and personal archive to tell his life story, and will be accompanied by a special display of items from Shalev's archive at the library.
'Life as a Rumor', directed by Adi Arbel and Moishe Goldberg, delves into the life of the late actor/director Assi Dayan. The documentary features Assi's distinctive voice as he recounts his turbulent life, and will be preceded by a series of displays featuring selected items from Dayan's archive.
'LAISHA – The Story of a Women’s Magazine', directed by Anna Somershaf, examines the role of the famous Israeli magazine Laisha in reflecting and shaping the lives of Israeli women. The documentary will be accompanied by a tour dedicated to writings by women preserved in the National Library, showcasing manuscripts, early editions, and other works that highlight the gradual establishment of women's place in Hebrew and Jewish literature.
Several English-language documentaries are also featured. 'Sapiro v. Ford: The Jew Who Sued Henry Ford', directed by Gaylen Ross, tells the remarkable story of Aaron Sapiro, a Jewish lawyer who took on automobile magnate Henry Ford over antisemitic attacks published in Ford's newspaper. The film, featuring actor Ben Shenkman, gives voice to Sapiro's own words and explores the legal battle over antisemitism, propaganda, and the accountability of the powerful.
'Safe Room', directed by Haley Geffen, is another English-language documentary centered on an Israeli story. It recounts how a doctor and his wife sheltered four families during a harrowing day on October 7, creating an unexpected community in the midst of extraordinary danger. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Geffen and Tamar Schlesinger, one of the film's participants.
'We Met at Grossinger’s', directed by Paula Eiselt, looks back at the legendary Grossinger’s resort in New York's Catskills, once the crown jewel of the 'Borscht Belt'. The film explores how the resort became a refuge and cultural institution for American Jews, welcoming guests and performers from across public life, and examines themes of immigration, Jewish identity, belonging, and the longing for a place that can feel like home.
'Siri Hustvedt – Dance Around the Self', directed by an unknown director, is a portrait of the Norwegian-American novelist and essayist Siri Hustvedt. The film traces her journey from Minnesota to New York and examines her intellectual and personal partnership with the late novelist Paul Auster. The documentary also touches on the connection between Auster and Daniel Auster, Jerusalem's first Jewish mayor.
'The Campaign', directed by Kari Hollend and Cristina Bishai, investigates the battle over narratives about Israel, Gaza, and the Jewish people that has played out through social media and other media since October 7. The screening will be followed by a discussion in English with Hollend and Israeli digital advocates.
'Shalom', directed by Meital Zvieli, takes an unexpected approach to the impact of war, focusing on the story of Shalom, a rhinoceros at Jerusalem's Biblical Zoo. The film's central character is cared for by Rushdi, a Palestinian Muslim, and Gilad, an Israeli Jew, offering a unique perspective on the human and animal experiences of conflict.
Other highlights include 'Jane Elliott Against the World', about the American educator whose classroom exercise on prejudice made her a controversial figure in the struggle against racism; 'A Goodnight Kiss', a portrait of Holocaust survivor, literary scholar, and human-rights activist Irena Veisaite; 'Ivry Who?', about legendary Israeli violinist Ivry Gitlis; and 'The Orchestra', which takes viewers behind the scenes with the Orchestre de Paris and conductor Klaus Mäkelä.
In summary, the DocuText festival offers a diverse and thought-provoking program of documentaries, providing a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of film and history. With a mix of Israeli and international films, the festival promises to engage and enlighten audiences with its rich and varied offerings.
