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WATERMELON PICTURES PRESENTS
‘ISRAELISM’
A Unique And Timely Documentary, Which Explores The Dramatic Shift
In Jewish Attitudes Towards Israel
“If you want to understand the wrenching generational rift over Israel among many left-leaning American Jews, the documentary “Israelism,” which came out this year, is a good place to start.”
-Michelle Goldberg, The New York Times
Watermelon Pictures announces the June 7th digital and VOD release date of the eye-opening documentary, Israelism, the directorial debut of two Jewish filmmakers, Erin Axelman and Sam Eilertsen, who present us with a unique and timely exploration of the dramatic shift in Jewish attitudes towards Israel, informed by Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, revealing a deepening generational divide over modern Jewish identity. Israelism, which has played in over 100 cities and campuses to critical acclaim, will be released in theaters and on digital platforms nationwide early this summer.
Israelism will be available nationwide on digital and VOD platforms starting June 7th.
The film was produced by Peabody-winner & 6-time Emmy-nominee Daniel J. Chalfen (Loudmouth, Boycott) along with producer and creative consultant Nadia Saah (Mo, Omar, Speed Sisters, 5 Broken Cameras), executive produced by two-time Emmy-winner Brian A. Kates (Marvelous Ms. Maisel, Succession, The Plot Against America) and edited by Emmy-winner Tony Hale (The Story of Plastic).
Two young American Jews – Simone Zimmerman and Eitan – are raised to defend the state of Israel at all costs. Eitan joins the Israeli military. Simone supports Israel on ‘the other battlefield:’ America’s college campuses. When they witness Israel’s mistreatment of the Palestinian people with their own eyes, they are horrified and heartbroken.
They join the movement of young American Jews battling the old guard over Israel’s centrality in American Judaism, and demanding freedom for the Palestinian people. Their stories reveal a generational divide in the American Jewish community as more young Jews question the narratives their synagogues and Hebrew school teachers fed them as children.
Israelism is an urgent, crucial examination of how we got here, what the debate in the Jewish community is like at this moment, and where it might go from here.
Directors Erin Axelman and Sam Eilertsen said, “We set out to make this film 7 years ago and we hope that in this moment and for the long term it will continue to help the public understand the fierce and growing divide in the American Jewish community around Israel/Palestine. We are honored that Watermelon have come on board to bring the film to a wider audience.”
The film features voices like Jacqui, a Jewish educator who says “Judaism is Israel and Israel is Judaism”, and former Anti-Defamation League President Abe Foxman, who claims voices like Simone and Eitan’s represent a small minority. Thought leaders like Peter Beinart, Jeremy Ben-Ami, Noura Erakat, Cornel West, Sami Awad and Noam Chomsky also weigh in. Israelism continues to receive support from high profile names around the world, most recently from Ilana Glazer who said, “Israelism validated instincts I had growing up as a caucasian American Jew, deconstructing the mythology around Zionism. The film helped me sort out confusing narratives and strengthened my Jewish instincts for collective liberation.”
Director: Erin Axelman and Sam Eilertsen
Producers: Erin Axelman, Daniel J. Chalfen, & Nadia Saah
Writer(s): Erin Axelman and Sam Eilertsen
Genres: Documentary, Independent
Country of Origin: United States
Languages: English
Run time: 1hr 24min
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