For immediate release: April 19, 2023
Canada – Cinema Politica is thrilled to announce the Canadian premiere of INNOCENCE by Academy Awards nominated director Guy Davidi at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival. INNOCENCE is a searing and uncompromising examination of hyper-militarization, its impact on the lives of young people forced to serve against their identity and values, and its devastating cost on Israeli society as a whole. After its world premiere at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival, and subsequent presentations at festivals such as IDFA, CPH:DOX, and Chicago International Film Festival, we’re excited to introduce this film to Canadian audiences as one of our latest distribution acquisitions.
INNOCENCE offers a window into the gripping and harrowing reality of a hyper-militarized society, where the innocence of childhood is sacrificed to legitimize the use of military force and occupation. Through a narration based on the haunting diaries of soldiers who died during military service, the film depicts their inner turmoil and the unbearable pressures of mandatory service. Davidi holds difficult space by evocatively interweaving first-hand military footage, key moments from childhood until enlistment, and archival home-videos of the deceased soldiers whose stories are silenced and seen as a national threat. The film is a call to action towards demilitarization, and comes at a time of surging assaults by Israel’s military on Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
INNOCENCE is produced by Oscar nominated and Emmy award-winning producer Sigrid Jonsson Dyekjær (Danish Documentary), four-time Emmy nominated Hilla Medalia (Media Productions), and co-produced with Making Movies, Sagafilm, Guy Dvd Films and Real Lava. The film’s narration is based on the writings and quotes by Halil Givati Rapp and anonymous soldiers. INNOCENCE is masterfully lensed by cinematographer Avner Shahaf, and features an arresting score by Icelandic composer and multi-instrumentalist Snorri Hallgrímsson.
INNOCENCE premieres in Canada on Monday, April 30 at 8:15PM at Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival. For all screening details, PLEASE CLICK HERE!
