We received great news today. Our first film Barberin’ has been accepted to the 2007 DC Shorts Film Festival from over 500 submissions! It was such a sweet ending to the day, which was filled with anxiety over how to direct our feature length project. We spent the day exploring, interviewing, and listening to stories about the kibbutz. There are certainly plenty of things to film, but how to craft the story is still unknown.
We interviewed Dganit, a shy girl who is scared to enter the army, but happy to leave the kibbutz. She says her family is disliked by the kibbutz community and that she yearns to meet new people. And then there’s Safta’s “cuckoo” neighbor who despite having a home, chooses to live in the kibbutz library, not shower, and collect trash from other kibbutzniks. Perhaps some people are meant to be homeless, even in a community that provides every member basic necessities. Tomorrow we will further explore these issues. In the morning, we are going to the “breakfast club,” an informal gathering outside of the kibbutz supermarket. The owner sets out a breakfast buffet and for six shekels (approximately $1.50) anyone can feast. We will of-course let you all know how it goes.
In the meantime, mark your calendars for the weekend of September 14-17 to view our film at the DC Shorts Film Festival. We’ll update when we know exactly what day it is showing. Now, off to the pub!
Your comment about homelessness is interesting- can a person really be meant to be homeless? I have wondered when I see homeless people who do not appear to be strung out or mentally ill or a combination of both, pushing their carts filled with their belongings , appearing more like adventurers of the “old west”, sleeping in their bedrolls, eating meager meals by a fire, no roots, no homes. Could they be meant to be homeless? Seems like a harsh comment. Rather, could they be people who never developed , early on, for a variety of reasons including but not limited to poor nuturing and trauma, the concept of home, attachment to something, someone. I am curious to learn more about Safta’s neighbor who despite having a home, prefers to live in the library and eat trash. There is a lot more to that story. As great visual and written storytellers, you are sure to give us one.