SOLDIER ON THE ROOF
Netherlands 2012 – Director: Esther Hertog – Original language: Hebrew – Subtitles: English – Length: 80 min.
"Hebron is the city of our ancestors and a holy city for Israel. That is why we are here." says one of the soldiers during his patrol. It is a tiny dot on the world map and yet it is the site of huge conflict. Around 800 Jews live here – and 120,000 Palestinians. The film’s observation of the town’s different cultures and people is explosive and loaded with prejudice. For three years the visual anthropologist, Esther Hertog, lived with and filmed the Jewish settlers. She shows the everyday life of the inhabitants who have barricaded themselves behind their dogmas, their religion and their hatred – guarded day and night by the Israeli army. The film is an extremely straightforward yet at the same time harrowing account of reality. Katrin John
Writer: Esther Hertog. Camera: Esther Hertog. Editing: Danniel Danniel. Production: Sarphati Media. Producer: Erica Reijmerink,Harry de Winter, Gijs van de Westelake. Co-Producers: VPRO. International Sales: Ruth Diskin Films.
