Hana Azoulay Hasfari Honored for Elevating Women in Israeli Cinema

Actress, screenwriter, producer, and director Hana Azoulay Hasfari will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Women's Film Festival in Jerusalem starting October 12th. The award recognizes her extensive work in advancing the status of women in Israeli cinema, theater, and television. Azoulay Hasfari, 66, expressed surprise and joy, stating that while such awards can feel like a sign of nearing the end of one's career, she feels she is still in her prime. She described feeling about 45-50 mentally, emphasizing a significant gap between her biological age and her perceived vitality, though acknowledging age's influence.

Throughout her career, Azoulay Hasfari has focused on the lives, identities, and struggles of women, particularly Mizrahi women, making them central to Israeli narratives. Her debut feature film, "Black," an autobiographical work, is considered a landmark in establishing a female Mizrahi narrative in Israeli cinema. Her television work includes documentaries like "HaPoalot" (The Female Workers) and "My Little Empire," which highlighted working women and entrepreneurs seeking economic independence. "Orange People" further explored Mizrahi-feminine-peripheral identity through three generations of a Moroccan family.

Azoulay Hasfari recalled facing resistance early in her career, particularly when she insisted on characters speaking Arabic or Moroccan dialect in her films, reflecting their origins. She noted that for her groundbreaking script for "Black," many assumed her husband, director Shmulik Hasfari, was the true author, overlooking her contribution as a young woman. She also addressed facing sexism, with one journalist suggesting she was only suited for roles as prostitutes or Arab women, a perception she has since overcome.

Despite her significant contributions, Azoulay Hasfari mentioned difficulties in the theater world, where she felt her voice was not always heard. She wrote plays like "Maimona" about wealth and power in development towns, but felt it was overshadowed by its depiction of a Mizrahi family. She also discussed her decision to stop dyeing her hair, embracing her white hair as an authentic statement and challenging societal beauty standards for older women. She continues to act, recently taking on roles in a youth series and a film where she portrays an older, intelligent Moroccan grandmother.

Azoulay Hasfari also shared her views on the current situation, stating that a political solution is the only way forward despite the war and Hamas's atrocities, which she believes must be eradicated. She has actively engaged in public diplomacy, creating digital videos in Moroccan Arabic for "The Moroccan War Room" to counter anti-Israel sentiment in Morocco. She expressed her commitment to staying in Israel, her only home, and is exploring how to rebuild a sense of home after its perceived fragmentation. She also revealed her political leanings towards the "change bloc," leaning towards the Democrats, particularly due to Naama Lazimi.

On a personal note, she spoke about her family, including her three sons who are involved in creative fields, and her anticipation of grandchildren. She also reflected on the loss of several siblings, emphasizing the importance of family solidarity and the deep void left by their absence. She expressed a desire to return to theater for classical roles, mentioning Medea as a past aspiration.