Avi Nesher's New Film 'Our Loves' Tackles October 7th Trauma
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Avi Nesher's new film, "Our Loves," premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, depicting the experiences of Israelis during the October 7th attacks. Actor Shalom Michaelashvili underwent significant physical preparation for his dramatic role as hero Shimon Portal. The film faced security concerns at the festival due to the political climate surrounding Israeli art. "Our Loves" is based on real events and was filmed in some of the actual locations of the attacks, aiming to convey the human impact of the tragedy.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Avi Nesher's new film "Our Loves" explores the October 7th attacks through personal stories.
- Actor Shalom Michaelashvili gained 7kg and trained for six months for his dramatic role.
- The film faced significant security measures and a tense reception at the Toronto Film Festival.
- Scenes were filmed in real locations devastated by the October 7th attacks, including Kibbutz Be'eri.
- Director Avi Nesher felt compelled to make the film after previously announcing his retirement.
- The film opened the Haifa Film Festival, where Nesher received a lifetime achievement award.
Director Avi Nesher's new film, "Our Loves," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, explores the experiences of ordinary Israelis during the October 7th attacks. Actor Shalom Michaelashvili, known for his comedic roles, underwent six months of intense training and gained seven kilograms to portray Shimon Portal, a police intelligence officer and hero of October 7th. Nesher stated that Michaelashvili's dramatic performance surprised international audiences who were unaware of his comedic background.
The film's inclusion in the Toronto festival was notable, as Israeli films have been scarce in recent years due to an unofficial boycott and fears of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Nesher himself faced security concerns, including requests to use a different name and requiring armed guards and an armored car for himself and the cast. The premiere was held with heightened security, and the cast and crew entered through a back entrance, avoiding the red carpet.
"Our Loves" presents seven interconnected stories of individuals whose lives were irrevocably changed by the October 7th massacre. The film aims to humanize the event by focusing on personal struggles, love stories, and the resilience of ordinary people facing unimaginable tragedy. Nesher emphasized that all events depicted in the film are based on real occurrences, with some scenes filmed in actual locations devastated by the attacks, such as Kibbutz Be'eri and Ofakim.
The production itself was marked by the blurring of reality and fiction. During a scene recreating the Nova music festival, a real air raid siren sounded, causing confusion and fear among the cast and crew. One of the production assistants, Kaitlin, who survived the Nova massacre, found herself working on set just 400 meters from where she hid for hours on October 7th. Despite her ongoing trauma, she expressed a sense of victory in reclaiming the space through her work.
Nesher, who had previously announced his retirement from filmmaking, felt compelled to make "Our Loves" in the wake of October 7th, viewing it as a crucial endeavor to explore Israeli identity and communicate the experience to both domestic and international audiences. The film opened the Haifa Film Festival, where Nesher received a lifetime achievement award on what would have been his late son Ari's birthday.
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