Telling Nonie
Synopsis
Tormented by his role in a 1950s Gaza assassination, Geizi Tsafrir, an elderly Israeli agent, seeks redemption. Reflecting on his time with Shin Bet (Israeli Secret Service) and the killing of an Egyptian lieutenant colonel, he decides to confront his past. He contacts the colonel’s daughter, Nonie Darwish, once intent on avenging her father’s death but now a prominent voice against radical Islam and a supporter of Israel. The mysterious email from Tsafrir sets Darwish on an emotional journey into her past, culminating in a meeting with him in Los Angeles. This winner of the Haifa International Film Festival’s Best Israeli Documentary explores intricate emotions, history’s complexities, and the bumpy path toward mutual understanding and forgiveness.
Credits
Director(s)
Paz Schwartz
Producer(s)
Osnat Saraga, Orly Atlas-Katz, Inbal Levi, Noa Lahav-Movar
Script
Paz Schwartz, Sagi Bornstein
Cinematography
Uriel Sinai
Editor
Sagi Bornstein, Tamara Mamon
Original Language
Hebrew, English, Arabic
Subtitles
English, Hebrew
Co-Director
Uriel Sinai
Sound Design
Rotem Dror
Festival Highlights
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WINNER
Best Documentary FilmHaifa International Film Festival -
WINNER
Audience AwardPunta del Este Jewish Film Festival2024 -
WINNER
Prize for Intercultural DialogueJüdisches Filmfestival Berlin & Brandenburg2024
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, USA, Official Selection, 2024
Calgary Beth Tzedek JFF, Canada, Official Selection, 2024
Boulder JCC, USA, Official Selection, 2024
Santa Barbara JFF, USA, Official Selection, 2024
Bucharest JFF, Romania, Official Selection, 2024
East Valley JCC , USA, Official Selection, 2024
Saint John Jewish Film Festival , Canada, Official Selection, 2024
Sillicon Valley JFF, USA, Official Selection, 2024
International Human Rights Film Festival Albania, Albania, Official Selection, 2024
Berlin JFF, Germany , Official Selection, 2024
SERET, UK, Official Selection, 2024
Zagrebdox, Croatia, Official Selection, 2024
Reviews
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"In their film, directors Paz Schwartz and Uriel Sinai crafted a captivating, suspenseful and human drama, where the protagonists realize that after many years, despite how hard it is for them to forgive, they must acknowledge the pain of the other, too."
- Haifa IFF Jury Motivation for Best Documentary Award
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"The winning film tells a personal story of forgiveness and redemption. It portrays an unlikely relationship between people who could regard each other as enemies but end up in calm and open dialogue. With a special touch of Jewish humor, the film also speaks in an extraordinary way about the courage to be true to yourself. "
- Jüdisches Filmfestival Berlin & Brandenburg Jury Motivation for the Prize for Intercultural Dialogue
