MCTAri Sandel, the creator of “West Bank Story,” spoke about his movie’s message of hope and peace yesterday at Washington University.
“West Bank Story,” a comedic retelling of “West Side Story,” centers around two competing falafel stands in the West Bank-one Israeli and one Palestinian. At the heart of the movie is a love affair between a Jewish soldier and a Palestinian woman.
The film received an Oscar in 2007 for Best Live-Action Short Film.
While the film examines the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Sandel says that it was not intended to be a learning tool, but rather as a response to the many one-sided documentaries and news reports that portray the conflict as never-ending.
Consequently, the film gives a message of hope for a peaceful future, brought about by new love and overcoming common obstacles.
“I sometimes get remarks about the film being too simplistic and that it does not accurately show the suffering of any one side. I agree. It is simplistic, because it has to be in order to be a comedy,” Sandel said. “I truly believe that peace between Israelis and Arabs will be achieved and don’t believe it is a hopeless endeavor. We wanted to make a film that would convey that feeling.”
The event was sponsored by the Rabbi Ferdinand Isserman Fund and Students for a Peaceful Palestinian-Israeli Future (SPPIF). The funding for the lecture was established to honor the work of Rabbi Isserman, who dedicated his life to promoting interfaith connections.
SPPIF first screened “West Bank Story” last year and its positive reception led SPPIF to invite Sandel to speak on campus.
Sophomore Robert Fares, SPPIF’s president, says the group chose to bring Sandel to campus because he is an interesting speaker and because many people know about the movie but not the conflict itself.
“His lecture might draw people who don’t know much about the conflict, or people who are apathetic to it. We’re hoping to get people enthusiastic, and Ari will help,” Fares said. “His movie has a very optimistic message that can be radical in some places of the world. It’s right in tune with what SPPIF is trying to promote. Maybe more people from Washington University will get involved because of his lecture.”
Sandel’s speech focused on what the process of making “West Bank Story” was like. He told humorous tales from all stages of its production-from when it was just an idea in college to his big night at the Oscars and the film’s showing in Dubai.
Ladue Native Bob Newmark, the actor who played David-the Israeli soldier, in “West Bank Story”-accompanied Sandel to the University event.
“I don’t buy into the idea that the fighting is genetic and that Israelis and Palestinians will never get along and that Jews and Arabs are like cats and dogs,” Sandel said. “I wanted to make a short film that might make people more interested and spark their hope-they might read more or learn about the other side.”