Israeli cinematheques mark October 7 with documentaries, memorial screenings

In addition to the October 7 memorial ceremony to be hosted by captivity survivor Eli Sharabi and actress Shani Cohen, sponsored by the families of those who were killed and kidnapped in the Hamas attack, the cinematheques around the country are featuring special programs to mark the attack.

The memorial ceremony will be broadcast live at 9:15 p.m. from the Ganei Yehoshua Park in Tel Aviv and will feature performances by many of Israel’s most popular musicians, including Shlomo Artzi, Ivri Lider, Miri Mesika, Gali Atari, Ran Danker, Harel Skaat, Eden Golan, Osher Cohen, Amir Dadon, Arkadi Duchin, Yuval Dayan, Ilai Botner, Roni Dalumi, Tamir Grinberg, Nunu, Noam Bettan, Meshi Kleinstein, Valerie Hamaty, Lihi Toledano, Lior Narkis, and Benaia Barabi.

The Tel Aviv Cinematheque will hold three documentary screenings with filmmaker discussions on October 7, as part of its “Since Then, Still” program, which runs October 4-8. The evening’s events focus on the attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, soldiers fighting in Gaza, and Israeli society’s responses to the trauma.

At 6:30 p.m., it will screen episode six of Yaron Zilberman’s documentary series "Nir Oz – Heaven/Hell".

The episode follows members of the Maor-Danzig family as they recount defending their home while their daughters sheltered in the safe room. Elsewhere in the kibbutz, Rachel Elgart-Danzig held a safe-room door shut for seven hours to protect her two granddaughters.

The screening will be followed by a conversation with Zilberman and soundtrack editor Yuval Bar-On about the series’ musical choices, including examples from other episodes.

‘Good Morning Gaza’ brings soldiers’ voices to the screen

At 7 p.m., Good Morning Gaza, directed by Hanan Brandes and Matan Sacofsky, will be shown, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

The documentary centers on Or Brandes, a psychology student and reserve tank driver, who in late 2023 broadcasts an improvised podcast over the military radio network. Combining recorded conversations with footage from the fighting, it captures soldiers discussing fear, denial, revenge, and other emotions, alongside jokes and exchanges that offer temporary relief.

The screening is courtesy of YesDocu.

At 8:45 p.m., the cinematheque will show Landslide, whose Hebrew title is Pulhan, by Asa Rikin and Ariel Bernstein, followed by a conversation with the filmmakers.

Presented in the Docaviv selections program, the documentary observes Israeli society during the year following October 7, examining religious ceremonies, nationalist gatherings, protests, remembrance, and escapism, as people search for comfort and meaning. The Jerusalem Cinematheque’s October 7 event takes a historical perspective. At 6 p.m., it will present A Message of Peace, directed by Idit Avrahami and Alon Levi, followed by a discussion in Hebrew with Avrahami. Admission is free.

Through archival material and firsthand accounts, the documentary traces Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin’s path toward the Egyptian-Israeli peace agreement, from Sadat’s visit to Jerusalem through the Camp David negotiations.

It is part of the cinematheque’s “October 7: Three Years Later” program, running October 5-10.

‘A Burning Man’ follows father unable to leave son’s army base

In Haifa, Eyal Halfon’s A Burning Man will screen on October 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Shai Avivi stars as a father who drives his soldier son to a remote military base, then finds himself unable to leave. Overwhelmed by the fear that he may never see his son again, he remains near the fence, encountering visitors who offer companionship and support.

Many parents have found themselves identifying with the film over the last three years. The cast also includes Suzanna Papian, Naveh Tzur, and Noam Frank.

The Sderot Cinematheque will mark the anniversary with a preview screening of Avi Nesher’s Our Loves on October 7 at 7:30 p.m.

The film follows seven characters who each believe they are having the worst day of their lives on October 6, and then must fight to survive the massacre.

It will open in theaters around Israel on October 15, after its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.