Jerusalem for Cowards
Monday Movies: Film Screening with Discussion (with Audio Recording of the Discussion)
Film still; Dalia Castel
The documentary by the friends Dalia Castel and Orit Nahmias, in which they carefully approach their hometown Jerusalem, is tragicomical and deeply personal.
The filmmakers are among the estimated 25,000 Israelis who have moved to Berlin in recent years. They say when describing their reasons for leaving Jerusalem:
"When we were young and lived in Jerusalem, people tried to intimidate us. They said that in 20-30 years only orthodox Jews and Arabs will remain in the city. They counted on us to save the city, fight for its secular, modern character. They thought we would transform it into the cosmopolitan city it was meant to be.
It didn't work. Instead, the intimidation became a self-fulfilling prophecy. We were so scared that there wouldn't be a place for us in the city that we left. We became a whole generation of young, secular Jerusalemites who left the city. A generation for whom nothing is sacred,who is not willing to fight for anything. A generation of cowards."
But their childhood city won’t let go of them. They return for the film, to renegotiate their relationship with their homeland – they visit places that they had turned their backs on and places they have loved. They join tourist groups, go to the football stadium, talk to street vendors and to Orthodox Jews. The tense relationship between secular and (ultra) religious Jewish forces intensifies when they revisit Dalia's parents home, which could hardly feel more alien – it is now a Yeshiva, an Orthodox Jewish school.
Film still; Dalia Castel
Trailer (Hebrew with German subtitles)
| Genre | Documentary |
|---|---|
| Directors | Dalia Castel and Orit Nahmias |
| Production Countries | Israel/Germany |
| Language | Hebrew with German subtitles |
| Production Year | 2011 |
| Length | 61 minutes |
| Awards | Authors' Award of the Frankfurt Authors’ Foundation 2014; Best feature film at the Boddinale 2015 |
The film was followed by a discussion with the filmmakers about what makes Jerusalem so unique – yesterday and today.
Film still; Dalia Castel
Audio recording: Discussion with filmmakers Dalia Castel and Orit Nahmias following the screening of Jerusalem for Cowards; 19 February 2018, Jewish Museum Berlin 2018
With the support of Siemens AG
Where, when, what?
- When
Monday 19 February 2018, 7 pm
add to my calender - Where
- Entry fee
Free of charge
Tickets This event is fully booked. There may be some tickets available on the evening.
Please noteA brief tour of the exhibition Welcome to Jerusalem will be held for Monday Movie visitors at 6 pm.
Please gather at the Meeting Point in the Old Building; admission with the museum ticket.For journalists Phone: +49 (0)30 25 993 419
presse@jmberlin.de
