Here’s some production info for those that are interested…
We shot this series over a thirteen-day period, twelve of those in Israel. We flew out on Christmas eve, December 24, 2007 as Ralph had to be back at his radio job two weeks later. We had a seasoned Canadian/Israeli crew was led by Martin Himel (possessor of great chutzpah and a good Rolodex). Our second camera was Ami Shamir (an artist at heart who appears in episode two) sound was shared between Daniel Tchelet and Noy Raz, both intelligent, talented and dedicated people. Rounding out the crew was Inna Shapiro our talented Israeli/Russian location producer and researcher and Sharon Nesher, our driver, who also appears in episode two. Sharon was a former elite soldier who made some unforgettable comments on camera. Karen Hawes was our anchor/supervising producer in Toronto assisted by Daniel Rattner our researcher/clearance person.
Editing was done by Charlotte Disher (episodes two and five), James Lim (episode three and four) and myself (episode one). I’ve been editing for years and still love to be hands on, particularly at the start of a series. Charlotte and James worked very hard and I thank them both for their unique personalities and talents. Animation was done by Ivan Verlaan of Visual Inclinations and Mandi Gorenstein and Darby McInnis were our hard working assistant editors.
I have to get back to finishing the theatrical version for the screening at the Jewish film Festival on Sunday May 4th, 6pm (at the Al Green Theatre). Please mark your calendars if you want to attend live (to see a highlights-filled 53 minute version) or to catch the full series May 5,6,7 at 9PM on VisionTV
Tags: arab, Faith, Israeli, ISRAELS 6OTH ANNIVERSARY, jerusalem, jewish, jewishist, middle east conflict, Mizrachi, muslim arabs, My Israel, palestinian, Ralph Benmergui, vision tv
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April 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Your show looks interesting.
I hope it will present maps illustrating how the separation wall is actually an annexation wall designed to take over even more land from the Palestinians, including Jerusalem east, and make it impossible for them to reach their schools, universities, hospitals, mosques, churches, etc.
I also hope you visit Hebron and/or other settlements to give the viewers an idea of how demented the ideological fanatic settlers are; and includes interviews of ‘Breaking the Silence’ soldiers.
And most of all, I hope that one day a diaspora Palestinian will be invited to produce his ‘My Palestine’ with the same support.
Maybe for the 70 years.
Thank you and best regards,
Mary Ellen Davis, Montreal
May 5th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Hola Rafa,
Nice to see excerpts of “My Israel”. I would really be interested to have this come to the Festival Internacional de Cine Judio de Barcelona for next year. Very important that it does. The 2008 edition is about to take place this June. The Jewish Community here in Barcelona need to hear your line of questioning and also “where” you’re coming from. I look forward to seeing it in entirety somewhere.
As you may or may not know, Cyrus and crew just finished shooting here in BCN on Mashalá! Over the course of the 2 week shoot and my recent conversations with the various branches of the community regarding the treatment here of the 60th anniversary of Israel, I am convinced that not enough of these questions are being asked in such an open manner in Spain. Either it is all said behind closed doors, only in the company of one or the other, but never in ¨mixed¨company. I am still trying to fathom this in my heart here after 10 years of living abroad here as an ex’pat Canadian Sefardi. Now, we are about 4 hours from Israel by plane here. Perhaps the closer you get to the weeping wall, the greater the separation becomes. I feel very encouraged to continue on my quest for a new-old recipe, which I feel is something you´re also achieving in your series: a kilo of knowledge + 500 grms of 6/8 Mizrahi rhythm + 500 grms of both major and minor key melodies. Add a combination of salt water and Azahar = The peace process.
I see where pressing business led you last year. I look forward to seeing the fruit of that labour.
Besos,
Ellen Gould Ventura
Principal Singer and Director
Mashalá! Música Sefardi Mizrahi y World Groove