As wedding festivities get underway in a Bedouin village in Israel, Jalila finds herself in the awkward position of hosting her husband Suliman’s marriage to a second, much younger wife. During the celebration, Jalila stumbles across eldest daughter Layla’s involvement with a boy from her university—a strictly forbidden liaison that would shame the family. Burying the indignity of Suliman and his new bride living next door, Jalila also tries to contain Layla’s situation by clamping down on her. But younger and possessed of a boundless spirit, Layla sees a different life for herself.
Colliding Dreams recounts the dramatic history of one of the most controversial, and urgently relevant political ideologies of the modern era. The century-old conflict in the Middle East continues to play a central role in world politics. And yet, amidst this fierce, often-lethal controversy, the Zionist idea of a homeland for Jews in the land of ancient Israel remains little understood and its meanings often distorted. Colliding Dreams addresses that void with a gripping exploration of Zionism’s meaning, history and future. Told through the remarkable lives and voices of Jews and Palestinians living in the Middle East today, Colliding Dreams weaves together past and present, ideas and passions, wars and peace talks, brilliant minds with the voices of ordinary citizens to develop a film portrait of unprecedented depth and sensitivity.
The charming and legendary Abie Nathan, dreamed of a more peaceful world and not least a more peaceful Middle East. He established the Voice of Peace, Israel’s first offshore radio station, anchored off the Tel Aviv coast. During the 70’s the radio station had more than 20 million enthusiastic listeners all over the Middle East. The station that sent out a message of peace, was supported by numerous international celebrities like John Lennon and The Carpenters . In November 1993, Nathan decided to sink the ship on international water after the Oslo Accords signed, a contract for Nathan met the Voice of Peace desire for peace.
Three gay Palestinian friends explore the contradictions in their lives with Jewish filmmaker, Witzenfeld. Khader is at ease with his relationship with an Israeli lover as just another dimension of “otherness,” while fervently political Fadi rejects intimate friendship with the enemy until he finds himself falling for one of their number. Naeem, in the closet to his traditional family, endures their increasing pressure to marry and start a family of his own. Together the three embark on a flamboyant form of activism involving video skits. In Arabic, Hebrew, and English with English subtitles.
Sarah, a morose harpist in the Jerusalem Philharmonic Orchestra, is married to Abraham, the charismatic conductor of the group. They have no children. When Hagar, a young horn player from East Jerusalem joins the Orchestra, Sarah’s world erupts. A unique friendship evolves between the two women. Hagar, feeling Sarah’s pain from not having children, offers to have a baby for Sarah. Ismail, born to Hagar and Abraham, is a wild and gifted pianist whom Sarah raises as her own. When Ismail discovers the true identity of his mother, his world – and that of those around him – falls apart. Harmonia maintains the unique essence of the biblical story from Genesis and adds a personal and human perspective.
David is discharged from the army after serving 27 years. He finally returns to his family and tries to find himself in his new civilian life. When a friend suggests working for a company that markets dietary supplements, David sees this as an opportunity to get his foot in the door of the business world and make something out of himself. But this decision slowly gets him and his family entangled in the web of dark forces that rule life in Israel.
Beitar Jerusalem F.C. is the most popular and controversial football team in Israel, the only club in the Premier League never to sign an Arab player. Mid-way through the 2012/13 season, a secretive transfer deal by the owner, Russian-Israeli oligarch Arcadi Gaydamak, brought two Muslim players from Chechnya. The deal inspired the most racist campaign in Israeli sport that sent the club spiraling out of control. One season in a life of this famed club is a story of Israeli society, personal identity, politics, money and a window into how racism is destroying a team and society from within.
In Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo, Israelis and Palestinians work alongside one another to tend to the elephants, crocodiles and rhinos. Inevitably, tensions within and across animal species reflect themselves in the mostly good-natured, always edgy interactions between employees, who lead regular tours of schoolchildren through the zoo’s grounds. Comprised of Jewish and Muslim students, these tours are always led separately, and each group learns different details about the same animals, stories which are constructed to reflect the glories and struggles of the children’s distinct yet neighboring cultures. Katharina Waisburd’s keen eye results in a sensitively shot film, offering an unforgettable and innovative glimpse into the current conflict in the Holy Land.
Two women from two different worlds meet in a hospital, moments after a terror attack in Jerusalem. The two are hiding a secret. While waiting and praying for a miracle to come they will get to know each other and learn about truth, fait and acceptance.
A wittier, edgier second season of Sayed Kashua’s TV satire, following Amjed as he tries to be part of Jewish Israeli society, in this season moves his family to a Jewish neighborhood, where he continues to be mocked by his family and both Arab and Jewish societies.
