When Israeli director Keren Nechmad was filming her debut feature, “Kissufim” in 2021, the chief of security spoke to the cast and creative team about procedures in case the kibbutz was infiltrated by terrorists.
The director was confused about why that plan had to be explained since there was no imminent threat from Gaza. However, after Oct. 7 when the kibbutz was targeted by Hamas, that meeting three years ago has become chilling.
“I have to say, when he gave us instructions, it was shocking,” Nechmad told Unpacked in a phone interview from Tel Aviv. “We were like, ‘nobody’s attacking from Gaza.’ It seemed like the words he was saying could never be real. And three years after we filmed, it was real. The man died protecting the kibbutz when it was attacked on October 7, and he was killed. He’s a hero.”
Keren Nechmad dished on “Kissufim,” which had its release in Israel delayed and recently dropped on Netflix.
Swell Ariel Or is sensational in “Kissufim”
Swell Ariel Or, who many will recognize from her leading role as Luna in “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem,” stars as Eli, a young woman with a streak of independence.
Or’s charisma is undeniable in the film as she plays a woman who doesn’t want to be told what to do and has a lot of chutzpah.
Eli has her own spirit and doesn’t want to be controlled by anything or anyone. In many moments, she takes unnecessary risks, as if trying to prove something to herself.
“Sometimes, it’s hard for a woman to chase what you want without fear of being judged,” Nechmad said. “Eli wants her independence and Swell really connected to the role.”
“Kissufim” is based on a true story
Eli is inspired by Elian Gazit, who volunteered on kibbutz Kissufim and was killed at age 21 in 1980 when a terrorist threw a grenade into her jeep. Nechmad’s father dated Gazit and told stories of his life on the kibbutz to her throughout her childhood.
“I grew up listening to his stories,” Nechmad said. “When I was in the army, a lot of his stories resonated with me. The reality of what it means to be in Israel faces you all the time. In America or Italy, you go to college and don’t have the responsibility to go to the army. You can show the story of this film in 2050, and it will still be relevant.”
Love triangles reign supreme in “Kissufim”
Eli’s best friends, Yoav (Yehonatan Vilozny) and Ron (Ofer Greenberg), both lust after her. Yoav has boyish good looks while Ron is more in tune with his emotions. Throughout the film, Eli contends with which suitor she wants to be with.
While Yoni and Ron both hope to earn Eli’s affection, a second love triangle involves Udi, who is incensed that Michaela (Mili Eshet) is sleeping with the tall and handsome Eldar (Tamir Ginsburg) who thinks he’s too cool for school.
Eshet is impressive as a no-nonsense woman while Ginsburg gives an accurate portrayal of a hotshot who thinks he is God’s gift to the world.
In the film, before the peace deal between Egypt and Israel, there is a fear that there will be another war. Nechmad emphasized that the high stakes of a country on the brink of war create more romantic tension and a greater possibility for romantic subplots.
“In some ways Israel is like any other country in that young people want to have fun,” Nechmad said. “But with everything that’s happening, relationships are more intense for sure. When people are going to fight in a dangerous area and know they might not be coming back, everything is amplified. Everything is heightened. There is fun but there is a lot of trauma.”
“Kissufim” recalls when Gaza was considered safe for Israelis
The film takes place in 1977, ten years after Israel took Gaza from Egypt in the Six-Day War. During this period, Israelis visited beaches and shops in Gaza, and the area was considered only slightly dangerous. In “Kissufim,” there are two critical scenes in which Eli (Swell Ariel Or) goes to Gaza.
As part of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s disengagement plan, the more than 9,000 Israelis who lived in Gaza were forced to leave in 2005. Months later, Hamas was elected and it violently attacked Fatah and fired rockets into Israel.
On June 25, 2006, Hamas infiltrated Israel, killed two soldiers and abducted Gilad Shalit. The IDF sent troops to stifle rocket fire in what was known as “Operation Summer Rains.” Shalit would later be returned to Israel in 2011 in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails, including some whom were convicted of multiple murders.
Give Peace a Chance?
The film has archival footage of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat discussing a peace deal with Israel. This was something perceived as a mere pipe dream until it actually took place in 1979.
However, Nechmad believes that it’s unsure that the same will happen today with Israelis and Palestinians.
“If you asked me before October 7, I would say I see in the future, peace can happen,” Nechmad said. “I’m less optimistic after. I still want to see peace, but I think we’re still at war. There are still hostages that haven’t come back. It’s very hard for me to see how we can find a resolution. People need to heal. People need to mourn on both sides. I really hope one day I get to see the beaches in Gaza, or at least my grandson or granddaughter get to see them.”
One character in the film asks where the Jews of Yamit (the Sinai Peninsula) would go in a peace deal. Israel gave Yamit to Egypt as part of the agreement in which the Sinai Peninsula was returned to Egypt after it was captured in the Yom Kippur War of 1973.
Why “Kissufim” is such a powerful film
While Or’s performance is captivating, and the other actors evoke both bravado and a desire for a better world, “Kissufim” — which was written by Nechmad, Hadar Arazi, and Yonatan Nar Ilan — is a coming-of-age story in which young Israelis hope to have normal lives and don’t want to be caught up in the violence that is ultimately inescapable. The film brilliantly juxtaposes the desire for peace, the fear of war, and the cold reality that the world is not fair.
A scene of soldiers seeing an enemy approach could have been developed a bit more, but its purpose is to show that young soldiers have a tremendous amount of responsibility and have to make quick decisions that mean life or death. The film is aesthetically lovely and warm, but there is a volatility beneath the surface. The ending is extremely jarring.
“Kissufim” is beautifully shot, and it is a mesmerizing journey in which the beauty of the land is showcased as well as the beauty of the actors. The film evokes youthful exuberance and wonderment.
It is impressive that in her first feature film, Nechmad has struck a balance that navigates the emotions of young Israelis as their environment forces them to grow up too young.
Kissufim was one of several kibbutzim attacked on Oct. 7 that remains largely dormant as survivors were forced to move north. While there are many lessons to in the film, Nechmad said one stands out:
“I hope people take from the film that being Israeli is very complicated,” she said. “There is not only one way to look at things. I hope people see how beautiful and amazing the kibbutzim are, and that people want to live in peace with their neighbors. I hope the kibbutzim can be repaired and people can return safely back to the areas.”
