On a warm evening in mid-October, 1,500 guests arrived at the Beverly Hills Arts Center on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and had to pass through a line of armed guards, pass through a metal detector and have their IDs checked before taking their seats Saban Inside the theater.
The security check was a fitting prelude to the American premiere they were about to see on screen. List of Oz, Journey to Oz Davianan Israeli-produced documentary about the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel that sparked the current conflict in the Middle East.
The hour-long Hebrew-language TV movie tells the story of a 53-year-old farmer and lawyer (his name is pronounced O-zehz) who risked his life to save some 120 young Israelis. Hundreds of Hamas terrorists shot, raped, tortured, killed and took anyone with a gun hostage at a peaceful music festival as they scrambled for safety.
Davidian drives a Mitsubishi 4×4 truck assigned to him by the Israeli government (equipped with front and rear automatic cameras) as a liaison with the Bedouin community and carries a handgun and an ammunition clip while driving on his side roads for protection. Terrorist bullets often whizzed past his truck as he made about 15 round trips over the course of a long day, rescuing frightened concertgoers and returning them to their anxiously awaiting families.
Many at the Saban Theater were visibly moved by the film, which retraces David’s actions on that fatefully horrific day and includes actual footage from his truck’s camera. “This is an amazing story,” said one viewer. “Especially where he had to go through and see all these dead people. It took a lot of courage to do what he did.
However, despite the film’s generally positive reviews and its heroic, inspiring message, it’s unlikely that the documentary, produced by Israeli television station Reshet 13 and others, will ever be shown again in the United States, let alone in the United States aired on TV or streamed.
“Some people have the guts, and some people don’t,” senior producer Bill Mechanic said of Hollywood’s current political climate, particularly when it comes to material set in the Middle East. “So people who are afraid of their own shadow and who are living to keep their jobs are not going to take the risk.”
Those fears now cast a wide shadow — and you can’t entirely blame the town government for treading lightly on the issue. In many ways it has become the third rail of the entertainment industry, a radioactive topic that has burned many of the people who bravely — or foolishly — broached the subject.
After learning in September that Hamas had killed six hostages, WME agent Brandt Joel angrily wrote on a pro-Israel WhatsApp group: “Fuck the left, kill them all.” Brandt Joel angrily wrote on a pro-Israel WhatsApp group The post was quickly deleted and he explained to colleagues on a Zoom call that he only meant to “kill” Hamas members, but the damage was already done: One of his top clients, Mahershala Ali, was suddenly fired he.
On the other side of the political divide, actress Susan Sarandon, who has a long history of activism, declared at an anti-Israel rally that Jews facing growing anti-Semitism “are getting a taste of what it’s like” ” Later, she was fired from her agency. Feeling like a “Muslim” in America.
Polarized views on the subject have even made old content published before the Hamas attacks and Israel’s Gaza offensive new and controversial. Netflix series FudaFor example, the show won praise for its strong storytelling when it premiered in 2016, but was criticized for glorifying the occupation of Palestinian land in its fourth season, which begins in 2023. Careers in American ThoughtA 2016 documentary that delves into how the Israeli government uses its influence to shape American media has recently drawn criticism from both sides, with Jewish critics calling it anti-Semitic and Arabs claiming it misrepresents their cause. Likewise, 2018 Egyptian spy thriller AngelThe film, set during the 1967 Six-Day War, was criticized by both sides for its depiction.
In such an atmosphere of caution, it’s hard to imagine how a new documentary would fare Oz’s List Might find a home in Hollywood. “We’re in a chaotic world,” said Garth Ancier, a television executive who previously worked at NBC and Fox and led BBC America. Ansel said that he has Jewish friends and Arab friends, and what they have in common is that they all have narrow views and only see one side. “I tried to convince them to get off that ledge,” he said. “But it’s hard. “Things are getting harder because of the situation over there.
To be fair, ounce Beyond politics, there were other issues that made it a difficult sell in Hollywood. On the one hand, this is a Hebrew document. On the other hand, it’s very violent.
“Obviously, the content in the video is graphic,” said Dan Rayburn, a streaming media consultant. “So, you’re going to see more pushback from these streaming services. You’re showing dead bodies on the ground. That’s not really what they want on their platforms. Even 60 minuteswhich has some great stories, you’ll notice they don’t show any graphics.
“So what about the ratings, right?” he added. “Is this NC 17? It gets really tricky when you’re talking about war and showing real-life dead people on the streets.
ounceof list’ The producers are apparently aware of the uphill battle they face getting the documentary released in the United States, but they are currently working on an “international” version in hopes of having a better chance. “We might change the narration to English or insert some new images so we might make a bigger impression in terms of sales,” said Yossi Eli, an Israeli war correspondent. Oz’s List No compensation.
Eli said they are also considering a feature film, which could end up being “a stand-alone drama as opposed to a documentary.”
Also working on submitting Oz’s List Awards and Festivals, led by Los Angeles filmmakers Dan and Zahara Israely, who produced dadnow streaming on Amazon.
At the same time, Davian lived a low-key life with his wife and four daughters. At the urging of many of the people he saved, he agreed to collaborate on the documentary and remains in contact with them. Several people quoted in the documentary expressed their gratitude and called him a hero.
He also made a rare public appearance on October 30, attending a new awards ceremony held at the residence of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. David Dean is among those honored with the state’s highest civilian award for extraordinary heroism.
Many honors are conferred posthumously.
