Video: Lawrence Bender speaks with Israel Hayom / Credit: Moshe Ben Simchon

Bender told Israel Hayom about the new series he is working on, which focuses on the October 7 massacre, the emotional experience of getting to know survivors' stories and about the importance he attributes to standing alongside Israel.

The interview took place at the opening ceremony of the Jerusalem Film Festival in July, some two weeks after the war with Iran had ended, where he was honored for his advocacy work supporting Israel since October 7 and his distinguished career in filmmaking.

Q: We are here at the Jerusalem Film Festival where you are being recognized for your efforts supporting Israel since October 7. How does this feel?

"Honestly, it just feels great. It feels that I feel like I'm home, you know, and it's great to be in Israel. It's great to be in Jerusalem. We had a wonderful shoot just a couple of months ago. I filmed with Keshet and my Israeli partners Green Productions, Maya Fischer, Shani Sror,  I just couldn't be happier.

Q: As you mentioned, you are working on a series focused on October 7. How has this entire experience unfolded? What details can you share?

"Unfortunately, there are an enormous amount of stories that one can tell about October 7. But we chose a few families. I mean, it's really about ordinary people kind of becoming superheroes in their own way, having to survive that horrific attack. We have a great cast here in Israel. We have a, we had a great crew. It was really a deep experience."

Q: You probably was exposed to very harsh testimonials. What was it like?

"Yeah, I went to Nir Oz, Be'eri, Re'im, Sderot. I went to the Hostage Square every Saturday night. People came and visited – survivors, people who had lost loved ones – came to visit the set. Yeah, it was very hard. It was very hard and very emotional. And I feel blessed that I was able to do that."

Q: What are your thoughts regarding today's festival and Israeli filmmakers?

"First of all, the fact that this festival is even happening after the war is extraordinary. The, I mean, the fact that they could pull it off in a couple of weeks [after the war with Iran], this kind of massive event, is on, is a pretty big feat. We just started watching movies. I won't say which ones I watched, but I've watched an incredible movie already. And I'm excited to watch more."

Q: Why did you feel it's important to speak out for Israel and to come here today?

"You know, first of all, I'm Jewish. Israel is where my soul is. And October 7, obviously was a horrific, barbaric act. And then somehow the world turned against us; it's not really understandable, but I feel like every one of us needs to do our part."

Q: What would you like to say to those who have big, big dreams and want to be like you?

"Follow your dream, and work hard, and don't stop, and don't give up."

The post 'I'm Jewish; Israel is where my soul is': Hollywood icon on life post-Oct. 7 appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Video: Gal Gadot spoke of her hopes for the return of all the hostages still held in Gaza at the 42nd Jerusalem Film Festival / Credit: Moshe Ben Simchon

Gadot, the star of the Wonder Woman series and most recently of Snow White, looked glamorous in a red halter dress adorned with a yellow pin, a symbol of the hostages still held in Gaza. She said, "Thank you so much for coming to celebrate Israeli cinema, this is always home. The reality outside is very complicated, and no place makes me more emotional than here."

She spoke about visiting the Gaza border communities last weekend and said it made her realize, "How important it is to people to tell their stories." She noted that it was "good to be here at such an important festival. I love my country and my people." Speaking to all the directors and screenwriters, she said, "I'm eager to make a movie in Hebrew." She ended her speech by saying, "The most important thing all of us wish is that we can breathe again calmly, and we will be able to do that when the hostages return home," which she hoped would happen as soon as possible. "I pray this war will end soon and there will be peace and security for everyone," she added.

She received two honors at the ceremony on Thursday. The Jerusalem Film Festival gave her an award in recognition of her contribution to international cinema and her remarkable success over two decades of artistic achievement.

In addition, Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, presented her with the "Power of Dreams" Award for her courageous and unwavering support of Israel and for using her global platform to promote truth and justice on behalf of the State of Israel. This second honor was presented to Gal Gadot by Carol Ann Schwartz, the president of Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, and Dalia Itzik, the chair of the Board of the Hadassah Medical Center.

Carol Ann Schwartz said, in a statement, "The choice of Gal Gadot by Hadassah was natural in light of the fact that she is a groundbreaking woman who serves as an ambassador for Israel and the Jewish people wherever she is in the world."

"Gal began her journey here in Israel and became one of the most recognized international stars, while maintaining a strong connection to her Israeli roots… At the Jerusalem Film Festival, where we celebrate the finest of Israeli and global cinema, there is no one more fitting to receive this award," the festival organizers said in a statement.

Usual blasé Jerusalem Film Festival audience members and even festival staff were abuzz over the presence of a genuine movie star in their midst, and some of the staff posed for and shared selfies with Gadot.

Lawrence Bender, the producer of such Oscar-winning movies as Pulp Fiction and Good Will Hunting, also received an award honoring his contributions to cinema for a career that has spanned more than three decades.

Accepting the honor, Lawrence Bender, who has devoted much of his time since October 7 to producing movies and television series in Israel, said, "Thank you, Jerusalem Film Festival for this extraordinary honor, my only regret is that my mom and my dad – may their memory be a blessing – are not here, but I know they're up there proud of their son... My whole career over the decades... I've had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people from various backgrounds, both in front of and behind the camera, representing different races and ethnicities. Then, on October 7, something unexpected happened. All these people I loved, all these different people I supported, I feel like they've disappeared, and I've got really angry and sad. I decided it's time to focus on my people," he said.

This led Bender to come to Israel and produce Red Alert, a Keshet television series about "ordinary people who become heroes on October 7." He praised Israeli resilience and said that he realized, having spent time here, "I had to double down and do more, thank you so much."

The festival organizers said in a statement, "Lawrence Bender's contribution to international cinema is among the most significant of our time. In addition to his extensive work in global humanitarian efforts, Bender is a passionate supporter of Israeli film and television. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Jerusalem Film Festival to receive this tribute."

Roni Mahadav-Levin, the director of the Jerusalem Film Festival and the Jerusalem Cinematheque, said that this was the second time the festival had taken place during wartime and spoke out against censorship and cancel culture, noting that some filmmakers had refused to allow their films to be shown at the festival. However, he added that many creators also took the opportunity to offer their films for screening at the festival and to participate in the event.

The festival will run until July 26 at the Jerusalem Cinematheque and Lev Smadar.

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