Israeli Filmmaker Dan Wolman Shares Insights at Pune International Film Festival
Israeli filmmaker Dan Wolman attended the Pune International Film Festival on January 19. He participated in a screening of his film Murder Too Close – Love Too Far. This film represents an Indo-Israel collaboration with director Manju Borah.
Workshop on Creativity and Survival
Wolman conducted a workshop titled Film Constraint to Creativity: Thriving as an Independent Filmmaker. The 84-year-old acclaimed filmmaker shared his extensive experience. He spoke openly about survival, resistance, and resilience in cinema.
Festival Director Jabbar Patel praised the session. He called it one of the finest at PIFF.
Addressing Conflict and Despair
Wolman addressed the audience directly. He said war, violence, and hatred are constant in the world. These elements can lead to despair.
"To stay alive without falling into despair, it is necessary to constantly keep making films," Wolman stated. This philosophy drives his creative process.
After the session, budding filmmakers gathered around him. They exchanged stories and sought advice.
Personal Views on Israel-Palestine Conflict
The Israel-Palestine conflict remains deeply personal for Wolman. He described himself as Jewish, secular, and an atheist. He feels torn between two opposing realities.
One part of him opposes the Occupation. He supports a Palestinian state. Another part is shaped by the history of Jewish persecution.
"Jews have been massacred, killed and raped during the Crusades, the pogroms, the Spanish inquisition and the Holocaust. Jews have suffered," he explained.
Some friends call him naive for advocating a Palestinian state. They believe Palestinians want to wipe out Israel. Wolman called the conflict terrible. He wished wise people could address and end it.
Connection with India
Wolman is no stranger to India. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Film Festival of India in Goa in 2018. He has served on juries at film festivals across the country.
"I know India sometimes better than many Indians. I have been to more cities and not just the big ones," he told the audience.
The audience included actress Seema Biswas. She features in Murder Too Close – Love Too Far.
Underground Cinema and Provocative Subjects
Wolman does not belong to the mainstream of Israeli cinema. He compared it to Bollywood in India. The subjects he chooses are not typically audience pleasers.
His first feature film, The Dreamer, was an official entry at Cannes. It is set in an old-age home. Hide and Seek explored a gay love story between an Arab and an Israeli man.
"I'm trying to make films that I don't mind making people angry. I want people to focus on a certain subject," he said.
He recalled his film Soldier of the Night. Some people called him a traitor for it. The story involves a series of murders in Israel where the victims are soldiers.
Practical Advice for Independent Filmmakers
During the hour-long session, Wolman discussed practical aspects of independent filmmaking. He talked about balancing budgets, navigating film festivals, and finding audiences.
He described his work as underground cinema. His advice to budding filmmakers is straightforward.
"My advice is to continue making films. If you have made a film that has not found a distributor, lick the wounds, go on and make another one, another one. Maybe, you know, next time I come here when I'm 91 years old, and you'll have another film," he said.
Concerns About Artificial Intelligence in Filmmaking
Wolman raised serious concerns about artificial intelligence. He believes it poses a danger to judging true talent.
"There is something very dangerous in the fact that you cannot judge anymore if somebody's really talented or if he used AI," he stated.
He shared a personal example. He is competing in a screenplay competition. Another participant used AI to write a screenplay in the style of Bergman.
Wolman worries that AI-generated work might win prizes or funding. This could disadvantage genuine creative efforts.
He recalled meeting a filmmaker who used AI to create a commercial set in Romania. The filmmaker did not travel to Romania or use any actors.
"I thought that he hadn't gone to Romania, so his experience of the place was not there. He didn't use any actors. I think the next time he's not going to be called. AI is going to direct," Wolman predicted.
This trend threatens the authenticity and human experience in filmmaking.
