Interview with 'The Sea' Director Shai Carmeli-Pollak & Producer Baher Agbariya on Inspiration Behind Palestinian-Focused Israeli Entry – Contenders International

Israeli filmmaker Shai Carmeli-Pollak presents The Sea, a drama centering on 12-year-old Khaled, a Palestinian boy in the landlocked West Bank. His long-awaited school trip to the sea is blocked at an Israeli checkpoint due to issues with his papers. Undeterred, Khaled attempts to reach the sea alone, navigating a route typically used by clandestine workers, embarking on a challenging and risky journey.

The story emerged from my experiences as a peace activist, says Carmeli-Pollak. For over twenty years, I have visited the West Bank, participating in protests and meeting people across villages. Many shared that they were denied access to the sea. That longing stayed with me. Eventually, I envisioned a story about a child seeking the sea, and also about his father working in Israel without documentation.

The Sea was chosen as Israels submission for the 98th Academy Awards after winning Best Film at the Ophir Awards, with its 13-year-old lead, Muhammad Gazawi, taking home Best Actor.

The selection sparked controversy. Some government officials threatened to withdraw funding, while the films state support led to calls for a boycott, even endorsed by prominent Hollywood figures.

Producer Baher Agbariya of Majdal Films, known for collaborations with Palestinian directors like Hany Abu Assad and Maha Haj, praised the project: The scripts quiet humanity struck me immediately. I even checked if the writer was Israeli or Palestinian. Meeting Shai felt naturaltwo cinema lovers connecting as director and producer. We are proud of what we created.

Author: Riley Thompson