Frequently Asked Questions
Was the film based on a true story? What really happened?
The film is based on an actual incident that happened to Orit (played by herself in the film) and I several years ago. We were in Afula (a small city in the north), on our way to Tel-Aviv by minibus (Sherut) during the second uprising (Intifada). Not long before that two suicide bombers exploded in Afula causing loss of life. Suddenly we saw an Arab woman carrying a large bag getting into our minibus. We tried to calmly leave the minibus, but other passengers arrived, noticed her as well, and panic erupted. I remember saying to Orit that one day we would make a film out of this story.
How did you shoot the bus explosion? Was it CGI (computer effects)?
We blew up a real bus. It was the easiest and most reliable way to do it. We bought a broken empty bus (no chairs, no engine) for a $1,000. We then towed it to the location and put explosives inside. The explosion had three stages: the first was blowing out windows, the second was creating a hole in the roof and the third was a ball of fire replicating the explosion of the bus’ gas tank. We used three cameras set in slow motion. The most difficult part of blowing up the bus was keeping back the hundreds of on-lookers who came to watch the explosion.
How long did it take you to make the film?
I wrote the script a few years ago, but about a year ago I decided to make it into a short film. Along with Hadar Galron we re-wrote the dialogs and polished the script. The most difficult part was raising funds for the film. Luckily we won a grant from Makor Foundation for Israeli films, and received the support of Israeli Channel 2 (Keshet). We shot the film in six days and edited it in ten weeks. It then took me two more weeks to choose the appropriate ending to the film (I shot a number of options in order to decide in the editing room).
What do you want the viewer to take away from the film?
The film is a drama based on my personal experience and deals with the complicated and often mis- understood relationships between Israelis and Palestinians. Although the film is tense and can be interpreted as prejudiced, my artistic goal is to show that what may seem as hatred is actually a result of fear. I hope that watching the film will help promote a greater understanding about, and even among, Israelis and Palestinians, and to give some insight to the difficult and complicated reality that exists in Israel.
What is coexistence like between Jews and Arabs today in Israel?
I grew up in a kibbutz, with a liberal, left wing society and was used to living in coexistence with our Arab neighbors. Unfortunately, reality has changed and for the last 12 years too many people on both sides have been hurt. I do not believe in coexistence anymore. I believe that the solution should be separation. Positive and peaceful separation that will create two states – a Palestinian state and an Israeli state, living in Peace.
What do you believe should be the resolution for the Israeli Palestinian conflict?
The Peel Commission report of 1937 envisioned a partition of the British Mandate of Palestine area into Arab and Jewish states. Partition was again proposed by the 1947 UN Partition plan for the division of Palestine. Thirty years later, UN Security Council passed resolutions dating back to 1976 supporting the two state solutions. I personally believe that the land should be divided into two states. I do not care if the border crosses a few miles here or there. I wonder how many people will get hurt until we decide where exactly the borders will be.