Grieving Parents Find Healing Journey in India for Documentary
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Thirteen parents who lost children on Oct 7th took a healing trip to India.
- Their journey is documented in the film "Neshama Lo Kobrim."
- The film focuses on life after the tragedy, not the attack itself.
- Director Adi Fineiner assembled a volunteer crew for the project.
- The documentary aims to raise awareness about grief and loss.
- Funding came primarily from the Jewish Federation of New York.
Thirteen parents who lost children on October 7th embarked on a healing journey to India, accompanied by the professional team from "Adama Tova," a community support space established after the Hamas attacks to aid trauma survivors and bereaved families. The trip is the focus of Adi Fineiner's documentary, "Neshama Lo Kobrim" (A Soul Isn't Buried), which premieres tonight at Cinema Lev in Tel Aviv and will air on October 7th on HOT8. The film concentrates on life after the tragedy, rather than the events of the day itself, exploring the parents' efforts to continue living with their loss.
Fineiner, a producer and manager with 30 years in film and television, directed the documentary. She emphasized that the film is about the "day after" and does not delve into the details of the October 7th attack, the children's names, or how they were found. For about a year, most of the parents had been meeting in a support group organized by "Adama Tova," receiving guidance from Buddhism expert Boaz Amichai and Shari Levi. The trip to India emerged spontaneously from these sessions.
Fineiner, who was not previously acquainted with the parents, felt compelled to document their journey. As a mother herself, she was deeply affected by the sense of powerlessness following the attacks. She also noted that while the focus was often on hostages, the stories of those murdered at the Nova music festival, like the children of these parents, were less frequently told.
Despite having no prior directing or filming experience, Fineiner assembled a volunteer crew and secured the parents' permission to film. She described her role as being "a fly on the wall," allowing the parents to fully express themselves. She also utilized her knowledge of phototherapy, a form of treatment through photography, to enhance the film's unique approach.
The journey was profoundly therapeutic for both the parents and Fineiner, who admitted to being changed by the experience. She has maintained close contact with the parents, who will see the final film for the first time at the premiere. The documentary was primarily funded by the Jewish Federation of New York, with the intention of screening it within Jewish communities worldwide. Fineiner aims to reach broader international audiences beyond these communities, viewing the film as a crucial act of advocacy in a challenging global discourse.