Documenting the protests as Israel rises

Right now, Israel stands at a crossroads, facing a critical moment that will define what kind of society emerges. And right now, ordinary Israelis continue to rise from catastrophe to fight for the soul of their homeland.

That’s the sentiment Melbourne writer, producer and director Esther Takac brings to Rising: Voices of Protest and Hope (Rising).

Rising is a documentary that tells the stories of the people who formed an unprecedented protest movement and have been battling to defend democracy, bring the hostages home and stop the bloodshed since October 7, 2023.

The film follows five powerful voices. Eran – a grieving father, whose daughter was murdered at Nova, turned activist; Yossi, a therapist who survived October 7 and immediately began treating others; Elana, a democracy activist whose son was killed on October 7 saving his comrades; Oded, a choreographer turned crisis responder and protest leader; and Ayelet, a trauma psychologist.

The film, a locally produced work by a Melbourne-based production team, is being screened at JIFF as a Work in Progress ahead of its international release.

Takac (The Narrow Bridge, winner of the JIFF 2022 Audience Award) brings her professional background as a child and adult psychologist specialising in trauma to this film.

“The film shows the determination, the power and the emotion of the protest movement – what is now understood by many as the longest protest movement in the history of the Western world, and also per capita, with millions of protesters in a country of barely ten million people, as the largest protest movement in modern history,” Tatac said, discussing the significance of the protest movement in Israel.

“What began as a movement to save democracy reignited with even greater urgency after October 7, fuelled by the government’s failure to bring the hostages home, its use of war and hunger as political strategy, and its continued assault on judicial checks even during wartime.”

She hopes that the film “bears witness to the amazing resilience, humanity, and courage of these brave people.”

Takac sees the protest movement as fighting a battle for Israel’s soul.

“For two long years, and continuing today into the unknown future, they are battling to defend Israel’s soul.  In a world shaken by authoritarianism and violence, I see this grassroots movement as a powerful testament to the force of civil society and the will of the people, a beacon of civic resistance,” she said, explaining she felt compelled to make this film after October 7.

“As Hebrew-speaking psychologists with experience in trauma, my husband Robert and I felt we needed to use our skills to help in any way we could. We flew to Israel and spent six weeks there, a few months after October 7, and that’s when I started filming,” she recalled.

For Tatac, walking the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, revealed the pain, trauma, and grief everywhere as well as what she described as “something extraordinary”, the resilience and the spirit of the nation.

Takac went to the protests, saying she was inspired by their care, passion and determination.

“They are astonishing in their commitment to support their fellow countrymen, their determination to protect their homeland,” she said, explaining that she was overwhelmed by their desire to ensure Israel remained true to its values.

“That strength and moral clarity are the real story of Israel, and they are what inspired Rising,” she shared.

With Israel often misunderstood, Takac hopes Rising will show what she believes is the true Israel.

“It hopes to counter misinformation and antisemitism by showing the human face of Israel – citizens fighting for the values shared by all cultures: freedom, dignity, family, and compassion.”

Rising: Voices of Protest and Hope is screening as a Work in Progress at JIFF. For times and tickets, visit jiff.com.au/films/rising-voices-of-protest-and-hope