Encounter Point moves beyond sensational, dogmatic and canned images to tell the story of an Israeli settler, a Palestinian ex-prisoner, a bereaved Israeli mother and a wounded Palestinian bereaved brother who sacrifice their safety, public standing, communities and homes in order to press for a grassroots movement for nonviolence and peace. Their journeys lead them to the unlikeliest places to stem hatred among their peoples and confront fear within themselves. Encounter Point explores what drives these and thousands of other like-minded civilians to overcome anger and grief to work for peace. Without dogma or righteousness, it implicitly asks why, with the world’s cameras focused on this conflict, we have never heard about these courageous and vital efforts? Encounter Point’s Palestinian, Israeli, North and South American production team of young women forged unprecedented relations of trust with the subjects and spent more than 16 months documenting their lives. Directed by Ronit Avni, Co-Directed by Julia Bacha (writer/editor of Control Room, the Sundance and Berlin 2004 Official Selection), and produced by Nahanni Rous, Joline Makhlouf and Ronit Avni, the film subtly tackles larger issues, including the role of media coverage in shaping the conflict; and the effects of trauma, segregation and loss on individuals and communities in the region. A must for newcomers to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for those who have seen it all and believe that hope for the Middle East is lost.

Forms: Documentary, Feature
Genres: Drama, Educational, Religious, Human Rights, Independent, War/Peace, Urban, Period/Historical, Reality, Docu-Drama, Spiritual
Niches: Asian, Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Third World, Women, Student, Mature/Adult