Professor to speak about the portrayal of Israeli women in film

Posted

“Who was that little girl?” was the most common question following a screening of “Jellyfish” in January. And some may wonder about the women who were in other Israeli films in the last few years, such as the bride in “The Syrian Bride,” the mothers in “Noodle,” and the victim in “The Human Resources Manager.”

On March 13, Rachel S. Harris, a professor at the University of Illinois, will share her perspectives on women in Israeli cinema during a talk at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence.

Women have been central figures in many of the Israeli films shown at the JCC in the past few years, and many of these portrayals have not been complimentary. Prof. Harris will discuss the changing ways in which Israeli filmmakers treat women – on the home front, as soldiers, refugees, sex objects, foreign caregivers and more. 

Harris will consider how filmmakers, including feminists, have focused on sexism, the negative impact of militarism and abuse, and on how some filmmakers have used their creations to advocate for the betterment of women’s position in Israeli society.

Harris, an associate professor of Israeli literature and culture, is author of “Warriors, Witches, Whores: Women in Israeli Cinema.” The book considers the ways social and political power have affected the representation of women and how feminist filmmakers have fought against these inequities both behind the camera and in the stories they tell.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at Harris’ presentation, arranged through the Jewish Book Council, at the Alliance’s Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, on Wednesday, March 13,
at 7 p.m. There is no charge to attend the presentation.

The talk is part of the Israel Culture Series, presented by Nir Cafri, Rhode Island’s shaliach (Israeli emissary), usually on the second Wednesday of each month. For more information, contact Cafri at 401-421-4111 or ncafri@jewishallianceri.org.

LARRY KATZ  (lkatz@jewishallianceri.org)  is the director of Jewish life and learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.