Constructing Space, Changing Reality of Israel through Film

Author(s)
Milja Radovic
Abstract

This article investigates the ways in which filmmakers frame reality through cinematic
space, mediating issues of conflict and reconciliation and of religion and identity(ies)
within Israel. Cinematic space depicts and expresses borders through elements of film
language. Through such (re)framing the film can question existing socio-political realities and their impact on the individual or whole communities. The microcosmic realities which constitute different communities within Israel’s wider socio-political reality are built and confronted through the cinematic space. Thus, cinema enables existing realities to be reflected and new realities to be constructed. The article focuses on two films: West of the Jordan River (Amos Gitai, IL/FR 2017) and Geula (Redemption, Joseph Madmony / Boaz Yehonatan Yacov, IL 2018). By contrasting these two films we are able to understand how cinematic space functions as a means of negotiation: identities, religious belonging and communities correlate with the geographical space of Israel.

Organisation(s)
Department of Systematic Theology and Ethics
Journal
Journal for Religion, Film and Media
Volume
5
Pages
105-123
ISSN
2414-0201
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25364/05.4:2019.1.7
Publication date
2019
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
604011 Film studies, 603222 Systematic theology
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/constructing-space-changing-reality-of-israel-through-film(69970271-5501-4698-b9ad-5e68ea359c0d).html