Your film is entered in our LA Film & Documentary Award. What is your film about?
The movie addresses the most significant health crisis ever faced by children—a combination of physical inactivity and poor nutrition. The social, health, and economic impacts are staggering. However, there are solutions, and we present them in the film.
What are your ambitions with your project?
Our goal is to raise awareness and educate. If every parent and teacher watches this movie, they can be part of the change that's needed. The other aspect is political. Simple social measures could make a difference, but are politicians willing to implement them? One of them is, and he appears in the film.
How was the shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
Shooting was quite an experience, especially since part of it was done during the COVID pandemic, which made us rethink our entire filming process. This challenge turned into an advantage, as one of the individuals we filmed is with a leading company, EyeClick, located in Israel. We used our skills to film remotely with a local team, directing from this continent.
For what target group is your film?
The film is suitable for adults over 21, but it's truly a movie for all ages.
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
We aimed to keep the story complete yet under one hour, so there's a lot of information to process. That's why it's a film you'll want to watch two or three times, and each time you'll catch new details you might have missed.
Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?
To make a difference through storytelling. Everyone loves a good story that teaches them something new. It's different from a classroom setting, yet you retain much more information. Documentaries, in particular, can express a complete idea to address and resolve an issue.
Who is your greatest role model?
After my parents, who were a perfect combination, I've always admired Nelson Mandela—a man who endured 28 years of imprisonment and, instead of fostering hate, transformed himself into a better person. After all, the only person you can truly change is yourself.
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
My favorite love story is a movie called Hector and the Search for Happiness. It's about a man who discovers that he had the love of his life right in front of him all along but didn't see it. By changing himself, he finally understands and embraces that love. Sometimes, you need to lose someone to discover all this time it was the love of your life.
La Vie Est Belle is, to me, a masterpiece. It tells the story of a father who does the impossible to shield his son from the extreme horrors surrounding them.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
In what's happening in our world today. I have so many stories I want to bring to the screen.
How would you rate current filmmaking?
I love the fact that anyone can take his talent and produce movies at all levels. With small budgets some people do better then major productions and with technology being accessible, you find talents you would never have discovered just a few decades ago.
What are your next projects?
I have two projects underway. One is called Water: Our Last Drop, a documentary about the most important resource we have, which we are currently destroying. The other is about SMRs (Small Modular Reactors). They represent a short-term solution to the evolving climate change and pollution crisis.
