The Settlers

Showings

Cinearts at Palo Alto Square Tue, Jul 26, 2016 3:50 PM
Roda Theatre Sat, Jul 30, 2016 4:15 PM
Castro Theatre Sun, Jul 31, 2016 12:00 PM
Smith Rafael Film Center Sun, Aug 7, 2016 12:00 PM
Film Info
Director(s):Shimon Dotan
Editor(s):Oron Adar
Cinematographer:Philippe Bellaiche
Screenwriter(s):Shimon Dotan
Country:Israel
France
Canada
Germany
Year of Production:2016
Running Time:110 min.
Language(s):English
Hebrew
Arabic
w/ English subtitles
Categories:Documentary
Premiere Status:California
Genre-Subject:Israelis & Arabs

Description

Sponsored by Ray Lifchez

With remarkable access, award-winning Israeli filmmaker, Shimon Dotan (Smile of the Lamb, SJFFF 1986) traces the history of Israeli settlements in the West Bank since Israel’s decisive victory in the 1967 Six Day War. While government leaders and the Israeli public initially saw the military victory as an opportunity for a negotiated peace, Jewish religious zealots saw it as a divine calling to redeem the Biblical land of Israel. Controversial leaders like rabbi Moshe Levinger saw the pilgrimage as an act of civil disobedience, saying that “only after we actually settle will we be taken seriously.” And so through both individual actions and the sometimes tacit encouragement of Israeli politicians, the Jewish settlements have grown to more than 500,000 inhabitants surrounded by a Palestinian population of 2.5 million. “It is a heated and often discussed topic, but I find that little is known about it, and often the discussion is misinformed,” Dotan says. He then embarks upon the most comprehensive retelling to date, employing little-seen archival footage, candid comments by security officials, uncensored interviews with the pioneers and a diverse range of modern-day settlers, religious and secular alike, to weave a provocative web that entangles the destinies of Israel, the Palestinian people and the entire Middle East. —Janis Plotkin

Director Shimon Doton in person in Berkeley and San Francisco