1948 Creation & Catastrophe Documentary

1948: Creation & Catastrophe

is the story of the establishment of Israel as seen through the eyes of the
people who lived it. Rather than being a history lesson, this documentary is
a primer for the present. It is simply not possible to make sense of what is
happening in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today without an understanding of
1948.
Yet despite the critical importance of 1948, most of the people interviewed for
this documentary have never been able to tell their story in full until now. For
nearly seven decades, they have been living with the legacy of that fateful year.
Many of the veterans, refugees and witnesses we interviewed have already
passed away. This truly is the last chance to hear this story directly from those
who lived it.
The documentary promises to reveal this story—and more important—to
provide a way of understanding the underlying dynamics of the seemingly
incomprehensible conflict that continues to capture headlines to this day.
This film was the last chance for many of its Israeli and Palestinian characters
to narrate their first-hand accounts of the creation of a state and the expulsion
of a nation.
The hopes, fears and grievances that drove the war in 1948 are still central
to the conflict today. By dispelling the myths about 1948 and providing an
understanding of the events of this foundational moment, this documentary
will make it possible for Americans to make sense of present conflict in the
region. And once we understand the conflict, it becomes possible to search for
a solution.

SYNOPSIS - 140 WORDS:
Through riveting and moving personal recollections of both Palestinians and Israelis,
1948: Creation & Catastrophe reveals the shocking events of the most pivotal year
in the most controversial conflict in the world. It tells the story of the establishment
of Israel as seen through the eyes of the people who lived it. But rather than being
a history lesson, this documentary is a primer for the present. It is simply not
possible to make sense of what is happening in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today
without an understanding of 1948. This documentary was the last chance for many
of its Israeli and Palestinian characters to narrate their first-hand accounts of the
creation of a state and the expulsion of a nation. Hear stories from the Israelis and
Palestinians who personally lived through events in Haifa, Jaffa, Dayr Yasin, Acre,
Jerusalem, Ramla, Lydda and more. These shocking and dramatic events reveal the
core of what drives the conflict today.