Layal, newly married and pregnant, finds herself in an Israeli prison, convicted as an accessory to a terrorist bombing after doing a good deed for a stranger. The warden and guards foster suspicion and mistrust, and stoke the bitter enmity between Palestinian and Israeli prisoners. The birth of Layal’s child brings rare joy, but hasten the day when she must choose between family and solidarity with the cause of freedom. Director Masri recreates the politics and tensions of the Palestinian struggle in this microcosm while demonstrating the unique challenges facing Palestinian women living under occupation.
In present day Jerusalem, a city increasingly dominated by religious fanaticism, Naomi, a secular young woman seeks refuge from the pressure of her life as a concert pianist. Overwhelmed by the expectations of her parents and her colleagues in Tel Aviv, Naomi seeks anonymity and solitude in the ancient city. Despite her intentions to stay alone, however, Naomi quickly makes two unexpected connections- one with a musically gifted Ultra-Orthodox young boy who lives in her building and the other, with Fabrizio, a charismatic Italian monk and organist. While these relationships allow Naomi to reconnect with her love of music and sense of meaning, they also make her a target in her new community. Faced with escalating isolation and violence, Naomi must learn to use music as a bridge to overcome towering religious barriers.
Self Made tells the story of two women – one Israeli, the other Palestinian- who are trapped within their respective worlds. After a mix-up at a checkpoint, they find themselves living the life of the other on the opposite side of the border.
Humans, wherever they are, are born into an endless competition with each other, and each age has its own goals. A colorful allegory to the well-known children’s game of musical chairs, where you keep on going until the music stops.
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