As a lifelong advocate for peace and justice, I was utterly moved by the courage and selflessness portrayed in “Oz’s List.” The documentary is a poignant reminder of the human spirit’s resilience and capacity to act in the face of adversity.
1,500 attendees who made their way to the Beverly Hills Arts Temple on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills during a delightful mid-October night were required to clear a line of security guards carrying weapons, pass through a safety scanner, and show their identification before finding their seats within the Saban Theater.
As a captivated viewer, I must say the tightened security was a perfect prologue to the unveiling of Oz’s List: The Journey of Oz Davidian, the highly-anticipated American debut of this gripping Israeli documentary. This film chronicles the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel, an event that sparked the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The one-hour TV movie, produced in Hebrew, narrates the tale of a 53-year-old individual named Oz (phonetically pronounced as “O-zehz”), who is both a farmer and a lawyer. This protagonist courageously risked his own life to rescue around 120 young Israelis during a crisis at a music festival that turned violent. As Hamas terrorists indiscriminately shot, assaulted, tortured, murdered, kidnapped anyone within their line of sight, these Israelis were scrambling for safety. The festival had once been a place of peace.
On that particular day, Davidian was behind the wheel of an Israeli government-issued Mitsubishi 4×4 truck, equipped with front and rear automatic cameras, a vehicle allocated for his duties as a liaison within the Bedouin community. Armed with a single handgun and a clip of ammunition for protection, he traversed back roads that were once familiar from his days herding sheep. Throughout the day, he embarked on roughly 15 journeys to rescue frightened concertgoers and bring them back to their worried families. All the while, his truck was frequently targeted by gunfire from terrorists.
At the Saban theater, many viewers found themselves deeply touched by the film, which recounted Davidian’s actions on that tragic day and incorporated authentic footage from his truck cameras. “It was an awe-inspiring narrative,” commented one spectator. “The parts where he had to navigate through and witness all those who had perished were particularly poignant. His actions demonstrated tremendous bravery.
Even though the film received widespread acclaim and carried a powerful, inspiring message, there’s a slim chance it will be shown in America once more, not just in movie theaters, but also on American TV networks or streaming platforms.
Bill Mechanic, a seasoned producer, notes that in the present Hollywood political environment, especially regarding content related to the Middle East, there are those who have the courage and those who do not. He suggests that individuals who are easily frightened or focused on preserving their employment rather than taking risks, will likely shy away from such ventures.
Currently, these apprehensions seem to loom quite extensively, and it’s not hard to understand why the town might approach this sensitive subject with caution. In fact, it’s become somewhat of a taboo topic in the entertainment world, one that has sparked controversy for those who dared to address it, whether their intentions were brave or perhaps misguided.
Following the news in September that Hamas was responsible for the deaths of six Israeli hostages, WME Agent Brandt Joel expressed his anger on a pro-Israel WhatsApp group by writing, “I’m fed up with the left; eliminate them all.” Brandt swiftly removed the post, but the harm had already been inflicted. In a Zoom call with his colleagues, he clarified that he meant “eliminate” members of Hamas, but unfortunately, one of his major clients, Mahershala Ali, promptly terminated their relationship.
On the opposite end of the political spectrum, actress Susan Sarandon, known for her activist background, parted ways with her talent agency following remarks she made at an anti-Israel protest where she suggested that Jews experiencing heightened anti-Semitism were “tasting” what it feels like to be a Muslim in America.
Controversial perspectives about the topic have led to older works, initially released prior to the Hamas attack and Israel’s Gaza offensive, becoming a subject of renewed debate. For example, the Netflix series Fauda, which was highly acclaimed for its compelling narrative when it debuted in 2016, has encountered criticism during its fourth season, premiered in 2023, due to allegations of glorifying the occupation of Palestinian territories. Similarly, the 2016 documentary The Occupation of the American Mind, which explores the Israeli government’s alleged manipulation of American media, has drawn intense criticism from both sides in recent times, with Jewish critics labeling it anti-Semitic and Arabs accusing it of distorting their narrative. Similarly, the 2018 Egyptian spy thriller The Angel, set during the Six Day War in 1967, has been criticized by both sides for its portrayals.
In these uncertain times, it seems challenging to envision a place for an innovative documentary such as Oz’s List in the bustling landscape of Hollywood. According to Garth Ancier, a TV executive with experience at NBC, Fox, and BBC America, we live in a world that’s upside-down. Ancier shares that he has both Jewish and Arab friends who tend to have limited perspectives, only focusing on one side. He expresses his efforts to help them broaden their views, but admits it can be tough, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult due to the escalating situation in certain regions.
It’s important to note that Oz faces challenges beyond politics when trying to find a home in Hollywood. Firstly, it’s a documentary made in the Hebrew language, which might be difficult for some audiences to understand. Secondly, its graphic violence could potentially deter potential viewers.
Dan Rayburn, a consultant in streaming media, points out that the content displayed in this video is quite explicit. As a result, there will likely be more resistance from streaming services because it contains images of dead bodies, which aren’t typically suitable for their platforms. Even renowned news program 60 Minutes, known for its compelling stories, avoids showing such graphic imagery.
As for grading it, I ponder, is this an Mature 17+? It’s a delicate matter, especially when portraying war and displaying realistic deceased individuals in the game world.
The team behind Oz’s Lists recognizes the challenging task ahead to screen their documentary in the U.S. However, they are actively developing a global version with the aim of increasing its chances. As Yossi Eli, an Israeli war correspondent who produced Oz’s List without pay, explains, “We might alter the narration to English or add fresh visuals to create a stronger impact when marketing it.
Eli mentions that they’re contemplating producing a standalone dramatic film, distinct from their documentary.
Additionally, initiatives have been set in motion to nominate “Oz’s List” for awards ceremonies and film festivals, spearheaded by L.A. movie producers Dan and Zahara Israely – the same team behind “Papa“, currently streaming on Amazon.
In the meantime, Davidian continues to lead a modest life with his wife and four daughters. He consented to participate in this documentary at the request of numerous individuals he saved, whom he maintains contact with. Various people featured in the documentary express their gratitude towards him and label him as a hero.
Additionally, he showed up in a seldom-seen public outing on October 30th, attending a freshly inaugurated awards event hosted at the home of Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog. On this occasion, Davidian was one of the recipients honored with the state’s top civilian award for exceptional bravery.
Many of the honors were presented posthumously.
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2024-11-23 23:30