International Competition

Bridge over the Wadi

Tomer Heymann, Barak Heymann

In 2004, Arab and Israeli parents embarked on a joint initiative to establish a bilingual elementary school in Kara, a village in Israel’s Wadi Valley. Some fierce debates preceded the opening of the school in September of that year. Although the initiative was idealistic and noble, the reality of it was that parents still had some major hurdles to overcome. In addition, they were forced to defend their decision in the face of opponents and sceptics. The school, which is called Bridge over the Wadi, has room for 50 Jewish and 50 Arab students, but is located in the Arab part of the valley. In a sober manner, the filmmakers observe how students, faculty and parents struggle to coexist peacefully during the first exciting year. By the end of the year, it would appear that they have succeeded in establishing a foundation, however shaky and unpredictable it may be. In 2005, twice as many students signed up to attend the school.

Heyman

Tomer Heymann

Tomer Heymann was born in Kfar Yedidia in Israel in 1970 and has directed many documentary films and series in the past ten years. His films won major awards at different prestigious film festivals including his first film It Kinda Scares Me. Paper Dolls won three awards at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival and the audience’s award at the Los Angeles Festival. Tomer's new eight-part series The Way Home won the best documentary series award at the 2009 Jerusalem International Film Festival.

Barak Heymann

Barak Heymann is director, screenwriter and producer. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel. Filmography: ‘Bridge over the Wadi’ (2006).

General sponsor

Gesher al havadi

Israel
2006, 57', color, video

Directed by:
Tomer Heymann, Barak Heymann

Screenplay by:
Tomer Heymann, Barak Heymann

Cinematography:
Uri Levi, Daniel Meran, Itay Raziel

Edited by:
Amit Azaz, Lavi Ben Gal, Ron Goldman, Erez Laufer, Arik Leibovitch

Music:
Bery Sacharof, Eli Surani

Producer:
Barak Heymann

Produced by:
Heymann Brothers Films