Former Actress Parach Bar Miniely Debuts Directorial Work Exploring Trauma and Identity

Parach Bar Miniely, after nearly two decades as an actress, has transitioned behind the camera with her debut short film, "Weakness for Tough Cases." The film, inspired by a sexual assault she experienced at age 17, will premiere at the Jerusalem Women's Film Festival in two weeks. Miniely, now 25, discusses her complex feelings towards her attacker, her decision to pause acting auditions for film school, and her bisexual identity.

The film centers on Yuli, a 17-year-old girl who attends a pool party with her soldier boyfriend and his friends. The aggressive male dynamics at the party expose the pressure on the boyfriend to prove his masculinity, while Yuli tries to protect him. Miniely relates this to her own past relationship with a combat soldier, describing how her romanticized view of him shattered when the assault occurred. She explains that the film was her way of processing the trauma, noting she never felt anger towards him and struggled with not saying "no" during the assault.

Miniely draws parallels between adolescent girls navigating consent and young soldiers in combat units, both facing environments where saying "no" is difficult. She expresses understanding for her attacker's pain and the pressure he felt to conform to a macho image, suggesting that sex was a way for him to assert control in a life where he had little. The film itself does not depict explicit sexual assault but rather explores "gray areas" of consent and situations where sex might stem from distress rather than desire.

Directing her first film, Miniely worked closely with an intimacy coordinator, describing the process as challenging but rewarding, likening intimate scenes to choreography. She emphasizes that the film is told from a "female gaze," focusing on Yuli's perspective, even though less is known about her character compared to the male lead. Miniely, daughter of actress Ariela Rubinovich, is also preparing for a role in the upcoming film "The Tankistot" about female soldiers on the Gaza border on October 7th.

Reflecting on her personal life, Miniely shares that her bisexuality has caused more insecurity for women she has dated than for men. She recounts a past relationship where her partner dismissed her attraction to women, causing her significant distress. She finds comfort in her current relationship with Roy Asher, an assistant director, where she feels secure enough to openly discuss her sexual orientation within their monogamous relationship. Miniely concludes that her past struggles were not about her sexual orientation itself, but about finding the right partner who could accept her duality.