Production Update June 2014

In the past few months I was able to film in both the US (Boise, New York) and in Israel, (Jerusalem, Beit Jala, Bethlehem and refugee camps in the West Bank). What an incredible juxtaposition of places, people and stories: Whit Jones, a psychologist and retired businessman, from Boise, Idaho; Ibrahim Issa a peace activist, living in Beit Jala, and Eden Fuchs, a retired Israeli army colonel, living in Tel Aviv.   

Highlights of my trip included an outing to the beach in Tel Aviv with a group of proud Palestinian and Israeli women who make beautiful embroidered dresses together. These women met at the beach to celebrate their work and the launching of their clothing collection. For most of the Palestinian women it was their first time at the beach. The women got out of the bus and ran to the sea, diving-in with their clothes on, with a palpable sense of freedom and joy. This was made possible by the Center for Emerging Futures led by Whit Jones, and under the guidance of Eden and Ibrahim.  In preparation for this trip I went with Eden Fuchs to an army base near Ramallah to get the permits for the Palestinian women to enter Israel. The landscape is marked by the settlements, Palestinian villages and checkpoints. Eden's commitment to connecting people is daring and inspiring.

Another memorable moment was when Ibrahim drove me to the Hope Flower School near Bethlehem, a school for peace education founded by his father. Upon entering the school, the first thing you see is a poster of Martin Luther King side by side with a picture of his father. Kindergarten children sang songs in English welcoming us. Lessons learned from his father guide him in the work that he does at the school and informs the choices that he makes in his personal life as well.

I am also thrilled to share that I am collaborating with the internationally renowned creative producer, Tom Schlesinger.  Among Tom’s many credits are HBO documentaries “Prom Night in Mississippi” with Morgan Freeman and “A Small Act,” both premiering at Sundance; story consultant on “Nowhere in Africa,” Academy Award  winner for Best Foreign Film, and “Beyond Silence,” which was nominated for an Academy Award.

Just 4  weeks ago I was able to travel and film in the areas I have described above, today, the situation in the region is very different, I would not have been able to film and most likely all of the activities would have been postponed. Due to the escalation of violence, things are changing very rapidly. Many of the people involved in the programs sponsored by the CEF come from the areas that are now deeply affected by the tension, to the point that their lives are at risk.

This further affirms the important of bringing such stories to light. I look forward to continue sharing the process of what I am doing with you.

Claudia