Israeli Filmmaker Danny Reissfeld Reflects on Career and New Comedy Amid Regional Turmoil
Danny Reissfeld, a prolific figure in Israeli cinema, recently discussed his career and creative process in an interview on the podcast "Cinema Shout" hosted by Avi Ludmir. Reissfeld, who initially did not plan to become a filmmaker and served in the Golani Brigade, was inspired to pursue screenwriting during his military service after a story he wrote was recognized as a script. This led him to study film at the Jordan Valley school, where his graduation film "The White Panthers" won an award at the Jerusalem Film Festival, launching his industry career.
Reissfeld frequently collaborates with his wife, screenwriter Hila Reissfeld, combining his focus on pacing and dialogue with her depth in character and emotion. Their first feature film, "White Panther," was produced quickly after a meeting with Arza Productions and included an unconventional casting of actor Ze'ev Revach, who agreed to work without pay. Although the film did not succeed commercially, it became widely viewed in Israeli education and military settings.
One challenging moment in Reissfeld's career was the boycott of his film "Midlife," supported by the Shomron Fund, which some film academy members refused to watch, leaving him feeling betrayed. Despite this, the film attracted around 80,000 viewers, surpassing expectations.
Reissfeld was set to begin filming "War Photographer," a drama about a Hezbollah invasion, on October 8, 2023, but the outbreak of conflict on October 7 halted the project and rendered the script irrelevant. Instead, he and Hila pivoted to writing a comedy, resulting in "American Henna," directed by Shalom Assayag. The film blends humor with poignant themes of family, immigration, and connection to Israel.
Currently, Reissfeld is developing a new comedy series about the Israeli Tax Authority and a large-scale educational project featuring short films addressing youth violence. He is also considering a sequel to "American Henna" if it performs well at the box office. After more than two decades in the industry, Reissfeld remains passionate about filmmaking, stating, "The passion is always there."
