Israel, 2010, 54 min, Documentary, Hebrew, English, Heb & Eng sub

“An Arab, a Jew, a Chinese, and a Philippine walk to school one morning…”—sounds like the beginning of an old joke, but that’s not the case. These are some of the second-grade pupils attending the Tel Nordau Elementary School, in the heart of Tel Aviv. The film follows the pupils’ interactions among themselves and with Meirav, their teacher. Meirav has to adapt the ill-suited educational materials, which are in contradiction with the needs of her classroom’s post-modern melting pot. The film follows the class throughout one school year, which becomes volatile as the Gaza War upsets the social dynamics in the classroom.

With poignant intuition and uninhibited directness unique to eight-year-olds, the children point out basic conflicts in Israeli society, deal with painful identity issues, and experience the first cracks in their childhood innocence. Magical documentary moments afford a rare chance to view complex social processes, in a fresh and direct manner, through the innocent eyes of second graders.

Director & Script : Netta Loevy

Producers: Edna Kowarsky, Elinor Kowarsky

Cinematographer : Emmanuelle Mayer

Editor.: Tali Weissman

Music: Rona Kenan

Source: Eden Productions, Tel Aviv

Festivals and awards: Jerusalem Film Festival- The spirit of freedom, Rehovot international Women’s Film Festival