A film showing in two parts, directed by Claude Lanzmann -maker of the highly acclaimed
Holocaust documentary, Shoah - and broadcast as part of the BBC's commemoration of Israel's 50th year.
The Israeli Defence Forces, known as Tsahal, have been essential to the peace process and to the state's continued existence through six major wars and half a century of being on permanent alert. A cross-section of soldiers, writers, academics and settlers recall their experiences as the film traces the longjourney Israel has made towards recognition.
In this first part, Lanzmann's subjects tell a multi-layered account of the wars, building up an intimate reflection of events as witnessed by their protagonists. Through its tales of weapons, assaults and subterfuge, the film broaches themes of fear and courage in an overview of the links between the non-violent Jews of the Holocaust and their bellicose modern counterparts. Tsahal concludes tomorrow at llpm. Executive producerpaut Hamann: Editor
Bryony Mortimer
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