“The Sea” (the sea), starring a boy from who risk his life to go to the first time, was chosen by the Israeli Academy to represent the country in the coming. In response, the Israeli Ministry of Culture has announced that it is now withdrawing state funding to the Academy.
In the climate of war and polarization in the “sea” stands not only as an artistic work, but also as an act of resistance and an attempt to bridge a gap.
Its creators, the Israeli director Sai Carmeli Pollak and the Palestinian producer Baher Ackbariathey speak in “Vima” and tell the personal and political dimensions of a project that attempts to show the human side of “others”.
“The nomination for is very enjoyable – as much as one can enjoy in a period – but it is also very complicated. I am glad that the Israeli Film Academy has chosen our film in these conditions. I think it is indicative of the complexity of Israeli society. However, I know that this film, in a global context such as the Oscars, could be seen as a “cultural rinsing” of the actions of the Israeli government, namely the occupation, apartheid and genocide. However, I choose to defend the truth: the film was created after years of activism against the Occupation, based on a deep understanding of the situation and the true friendship with the people who were supposed to be my “enemies”. I made it with love and respect for cinema and social communication. Most importantly, it was a product of true cooperation between me, Baher and the rest of the Palestinian workshop. It represents us that we understand that the system in Israel is defective, even criminal, that there is no normal life with discrimination, and that we aspire to live with mutual respect and true equality. “ Paul says in “Step”.
In “The Sea” a little boy from Ramala begins his own journey to the sea, where he is not allowed to go, and his father, who works illegally in Tel Aviv, is looking for him even though he is in danger of being arrested.
The inspiration of Pollak, who also wrote the script, were what he had seen in the West Bank. “I have been fighting against the Occupation for many years. I participated in the Palestinian struggle against the injustices under the Israeli regime and I have witnessed many violence against them. But what touched me deeply was the simple things, such as the Palestinians to reach the sea, which so many longing to see at least once in their lives. Another that touched me is their desperate need to make a living to such an extent that they are willing to risk entering Israel illegally to work. These two themes were linked to the history of the film » The director explains to us.
The film is a partnership of Israeli and Palestinian artists and was filmed in Tel Aviv and in Palestinian villages of the West Bank.
“Supply, licenses and coordination were difficult and sensitive issues. Funding was also complicated: we had to address different sources, including the Israeli Film Fund, while maintaining creative independence. Although shooting took place in early 2023, it was then for a period of tension and uncertainty, which transformed every day of filming into an act of confidence between our workshop and the locals. However, after October 7, everything became even more difficult – emotional, political and practical. “ Agbaria says in “Vima”.
“In fact, the film was shot about six months before October 7th. It was a special experience because we were a common workshop of Israeli and Palestinians. We also returned to Palestinian villages – an experience that was not obvious to some members of the Israeli workshop. I think it is still possible to organize a common workshop, but as for filming in Palestinian villages, these are no longer possible. The situation is very charged and the pain is very large » Pollak completes.
In the middle of last month, the Ophir Awards, the “Israeli Oscars”, were awarded the “Sea” with five awards, including that of the best movie “ticket” for Oscars.
The next day, the Israeli Ministry of Culture announced that it was withdrawing funding to the Israeli Film Academy for considering that the winning film “defames Israeli defense forces and the state of Israel”.
The director was not surprised by the government’s reaction. “Both because she has long been attacking films that do not follow her line and because it is a very extreme, populist, marginal fascist government, in which every demonstration of human solidarity between the two peoples seems foreign and annoying.” comments. The Israeli government does not intervene directly on the content of the films “But he is back in retrospect to retroactively refuse to support the films that she does not like or prevent their viewing.”.
On the other hand, Agbaria did not expect such a scale reaction. “The withdrawal of state funding from the Film Academy and the ODIR Awards is a worrying sign for artistic freedom. Israel has legislation on cinema and state funds that normally allow creative freedom, but efforts are being made to introduce ideological “faith” conditions “. Indeed, a “statement of faith” was required for state funding a few years ago. “Even if it is no longer officially the case, the pressure has not disappeared” The producer points out.
Despite the political attack, The Sea is expected to be released normally in Israeli cinemas, and has already been screened in a series of festivals.
Pollak explains to us that even before the broad circulation the reactions were varied. “Of course I receive anger messages and curses on social media. Usually by people who haven’t even seen the film and are influenced by the words of the government. It is not surprised at a time when the government is stimulating hatred even against relatives of hostages in ».
