Our Israeli Film Series begins this semester with Torn a new documentary by Nim Shapira. Join us online on Monday, February 17, at noon for a virtual panel discussion with the filmmaker and participants from the film: hostage family members Alana Zeitchik and Julia Simon, creators of the Kidnapped poster Nitzan Mintz and Dede Bandaid, and activist Elisha Fine, led by IIJS Film Programmer Stuart Weinstock.

Torn, a new documentary by Israeli-born, New York-based filmmaker Nim Shapira, delves into the controversy surrounding the “Kidnapped from Israel” poster campaign, a grassroots effort to raise awareness about the 240 hostages taken by Hamas. With empathy and thoughtfulness, Torn explores the motivations of those who put up and tear down the posters in and around New York City, unraveling the complexities of this intense proxy battle, fought thousands of miles from the actual conflict.
(75 minutes; English, Hebrew, and Arabic with English subtitles)

Viewer discretion advised: this film is not rated and includes footage from street protests and confrontations, and some footage from October 7.