CINEMA SABAYA
by Orit Fouks Rotem
Synopsis: Nine women, Arab and Jewish, take part in a video workshop hosted by Rona, a young film director, who teaches them how to document their lives. With each raw homemade footage shot by the women and shared with the others, the group dynamic forces them to challenge their views and beliefs as they get to know each other and themselves better.
Cast: Dana Ivgy, Joanna Said, Amal Murkus, Ruth Landau, Yulia Tagil, Marlene Bajali, Aseel Farhat, Orit Samuel, Liora Levi, Khawlah Hag Debsy.
2021 / Drama, Comedy / Israël, Belgium / 95 min / Hebrew, Arabic / Completed
Produced by Green Productions (Scaffolding, Menashe, Youth, Summer Vacation) / Coproduced by Aurélien Bodinaux from Neon Rouge in Belgium (Downstream to Kinshasa, The Mercy of the Jungle).
“I think that the film offers a rare glimpse to the hidden depths of the lives of Jewish and Palestinian women, where their central point of convergence, the most profound thing they had in common, is simply being a woman. This turned to be stronger than their religion or cultural world. I hope the film will offer an intimate and empowering conversation, not ignoring the different backgrounds, but rather proving that this does not provide an obstacle in creating deep connections and true friendships. Women who want their stories to be heard, but are scared, or are unable, to tell them in the first person. Therefore, this is a film that also deals with the power of cinema”
— Orit Fouks Rotem
