Most recent articles by Igal Avidan
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Interview with Israeli film director Elite Zexer"Sufat Chol" and the Bedouin brides
In her debut feature film "Sufat Chol" (Sand Storm), which was awarded the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, Israeli director Elite Zexer tells the story of Bedouin women struggling to change the unchangeable rules, each in her own individual way. Interview by Igal Avidan
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The Berlin charity ″Morus 14″Dispelling alienation and prejudice
″Morus 14″ is a charitable organisation that aims to promote social integration based in Neukolln – one of Berlin′s more deprived neighbourhoods. Along with other volunteers, Jewish Israeli Hagar Levin manages the organisation′s successful drop-in project for Muslim children and teenagers. Interview by Igal Avidan
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Interview with "Der Spiegel" reporter Christoph ReuterThe strategists of terror
At present, IS is the most dangerous terrorist militia in the world. It controls a territory that stretches from north-eastern Syria to western Iraq, including almost all Syrian oil and gas fields. Igal Avidan spoke to Christoph Reuter (correspondent for the German weekly news magazine "Der Spiegel") about the ascent of IS
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Interview with Israeli filmmaker Mor Loushy"I am ultimately fighting for a better future in my homeland"
Mor Loushy's moving documentary "Censored Voices" is based on the Israeli book "The Seventh Day" (Hebrew: Siach Lochamim), in which soldiers who fought in the Six Day War in 1967 talk about their personal experiences and intimate feelings. The interviews were conducted only days after the conflict by writers, including a young Amos Oz and the editor and publisher Avraham Shapira, who were, like the soldiers, Kibbutz members at the time. They wanted to understand the grief of the soldiers, grief that had been drowned out by the victory parades. Igal Avidan spoke to the director
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Interview with filmmaker SamirAn Iraqi odyssey
In his impressive 3D documentary "Iraqi Odyssey", the Iraqi-born Swiss filmmaker Samir combines the personal stories of some of his relatives with archive footage of events in Iraq from the Ottoman Empire to the era of Saddam Hussein. Igal Avidan spoke to him in Berlin
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Documentary: "The Green Prince"A friendship that inspires hope
Green is the colour of Hamas. The documentary "The Green Prince" tells the story of a Palestinian who turned informer and worked for the Israeli secret service for years. Igal Avidan watched the film and spoke to its director, Nadav Schirman
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Exhibition: "SNIP IT! Stances on Ritual Circumcision"An objective examination of a controversial issue
With its exhibition "SNIP IT! Stances on Ritual Circumcision", the Jewish Museum in Berlin offers surprising and diverse insights into the significance of a ritual about which few people in Germany know very much at all. Igal Avidan went to see the exhibition
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Interview with the Jewish author Judith KatzirFriendship across the divide
Judith Katzir is one of the most interesting young authors in Israel. Her books deal mostly with strong women who undertake journeys into their own past. Her new novel, "Tzila", is based on letters belonging to her great-grandmother and describes her journey to Gaza, where her Jewish family once lived. Igal Avidan spoke to the author
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Interview with Iranian filmmaker Reza DormishianThe rage of an entire generation on screen
The film "Asabani Nistam!" (I'm not angry!) was the only Iranian entry at this year's Berlinale film festival. On screen, young Iranians vent their anger and frustration at the day-to-day economic hardship and the general hopelessness of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's term as president. Igal Avidan spoke to the director and producer Reza Dormishian
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Mehran Tamadon's documentary "Iranien"A bold experiment
In Mehran Tamadon's new documentary, the director enters into a debate with four loyal supporters of the regime, who better him in every aspect of the discussion. Igal Avidan saw the film at the Berlinale
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Mohammed HelmyFirst Arab Honoured by Israel for Rescuing Jewish Family from the Nazis
Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial institute for the first time granted an award to an Egyptian for rescuing a Jewish family during World War II in Berlin. Igal Avidan spoke to Irena Steinfeldt, director of the Department for the Righteous Among the Nations in Yad Vashem
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Interview with the Saudi Filmmaker Ahd Kamel''We Live in a Modern World Governed by Ancient Rules''
The film Sanctity tells the story of Areej, a young, pregnant Saudi widow, who will do anything to protect her unborn child. Kamel not only wrote and directed the film, she also played the leading role. It was shot on location in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is her second film. Igal Avidan met her in Berlin and asked her about women's rights and film-making in a country that has no cinemas.