From Us to Me

Until recently, scholarly works on Israeli film have been more theoretical than historical.
From Us to Me, presented in two volumes, seeks to change that. It serves as an attempt to illustrate the sociocultural history of Israeli cinema from 1964 to 1994. In this first volume, building on primary and secondary sources, academic studies of Israeli history, and excerpts from relevant films, author Dror Izhar shares his unique interpretations regarding the artistic achievements of three director-producers: Ephraim Kishon, Uri Zohar, and Menahem Golan. While the first two defined Israeli personal cinema, the third attempted to rekindle national Israeli film. Izhar's focus on how sociopolitical factors affect and are affected by these films stands out, particularly in light of world events during the period studied.
Offering an in-depth exploration of the work of several filmmakers, this study considers the history and influence of Israeli cinema in the second half of the twentieth century.