SOCIAL CHANGE
Since October 7th, we are heartbroken at the terrible trauma and loss of life in Israel and Gaza. Much of the world is reeling with horror and despair and there are alarming effects on multicultural societies across the globe. There is polarisation and extremism, misinformation and disinformation, simplistic reductionism of the conflict which leads to negative stereotyping, hatred and the current explosion of frightening anti-semitism and islamophobia. We need a solution based on understanding and compromise on both sides. The people in THE NARROW BRIDGE show us how - and give us hope.
As a Social Impact film, we are developing a program to promote awareness and positive change around breaking down stereotypes, people to people peacebuilding and post traumatic growth. THE NARROW BRIDGE shows how people develop strengths after trauma and offers a model of reconciliation for people in conflict and trauma situations.
The BRIDGE BUILDERS Social Change Program allows the film and associated resources to be used as a powerful social change tool around the world (and specifically in Israel and the Palestinian Territories) by community groups, NGO’s, adult, university and high school education centres. In fact the BRIDGE BUILDERS Social Change Program is already being used by universities - for example see below. It will leverage the documentary, and its educational resources, to reduce demonisation and stereotypes, increase empathy for the other and develop pathways to conflict resolution and reconciliation.
The screening of the film at a range of international film festivals, theatres, broadcasters, universities and community centres and our partnerships with significant global organisations including The Alliance for Middle East Peace, Combatants for Peace, Plus61J Media, Kids4Peace all amplify the impact of the film.
IMPACT GOALS
Promote intercultural understanding and develop our ability to understand the story and pain of those different to us
Reduce general negative stereotyping, and specifically about Muslims and Palestinians, Jews and Israelis
Develop awareness of the possibility of post traumatic growth
Provide trauma related organisations and professionals a resource package (including the film and educational material) that increases knowledge around the effects of trauma and fosters post traumatic growth
Offer an innovative model of reconciliation and conflict resolution
Develop awareness of the power of people-to-people peace building programs
Provide an education resource for organisations working with conflict
Nurture hope for a just and secure future for
Palestinians and Israelis
Demonstrate how Israeli-Palestinian people-to-people peace building programs create significant positive change
Build support for Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families and develop their power to foster understanding and conflict resolution
Provide an advocacy tool for social and political change
Shaping Generational Change
The following responses have been received to screenings of the film by universities and community groups around the world.
"We were extremely fortunate at Denison University to be able to screen Esther Takac's deeply thought-provoking film, The Narrow Bridge, followed by a discussion with the director. In contrast to one-sided, purely political narratives about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this film humanizes the conflict, illustrating in a hopeful way the power of grassroots movements to bridge divides and bring people together. Our students found the film riveting, and it aligned perfectly with Denison's desire to help students think in new ways about dialogue across difference and conflict resolution."
Dr. Adam Davis
Director of the Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement
Denison University
"The evening was really a terrific success. The students were tracking with your answers in the Q & A. They were right there with you. From my perspective it really hit my goals for the programming we have at Denison around Israel Palestine. I'm very interested in introducing students to other conflict resolution approaches. I want to help them transcend the idea that the only way to solve conflicts is to figure out who the bad guy is and punish them. Your film helps them develop a deeper moral imagination."
Bethany Slater
Associate Professor
Denison University
"It was a pleasure to screen THE NARROW BRIDGE documentary at King's. Its profound message resonated deeply at a time when our student body is grappling with growing divisions. The event succeeded in uniting Arab and Jewish students. It was a night filled with emotion and introspection for many of our attendees, and a pivotal learning experience for those, like myself, interested in grassroots peacebuilding efforts."
Dr. Carmen Fulco
Lecturer in Middle East Studies Education
King's College London
"Esther Takac is a gifted filmmaker and trauma psychologist whose recent work, The Very Narrow Bridge, stands as a remarkable contribution to conflict resolution, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding. Her ability to weave together the deeply personal and highly political in a way that resonates globally is precisely what our world needs in these turbulent times.
In 2024, I invited Esther Takac to screen her film The Very Narrow Bridge to 150 students enrolled in my undergraduate unit on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film was followed by a ‘talkback’ session between Esther and the students.
The film resonated deeply with them, opening their eyes to the human stories behind the headlines and fostering a profound sense of empathy and reflection. In the discussion that followed, Esther engaged with their questions thoughtfully and insightfully, providing both context and compassion as she unpacked the complexities of trauma and reconciliation. Her ability to connect with students on both an intellectual and emotional level left a lasting impact, inspiring them to think critically about their own roles in promoting understanding and peace."
Dr. Daniel Kupfert Heller
Kronhill Senior Lecturer in East European Jewish History
Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation
School of Philosophical, Historical, and Indigenous Studies
Monash University
"Everyone must watch the Narrow Bridge. It is simply essential viewing. Really for anyone, but especially for people who care about the future of the people who live in the region between the River and the Sea. We screened The Narrow Bridge at Queen’s University followed by a Zoom Q&A with Esther, the films director. Our students that attended were deeply moved by the films content and Esther’s added insights and ability to take us behind-the-scenes made the experience even more impactful. If you have the opportunity to bring
The Narrow Bridge to your campus, do it."
Yos Tarshish
Campus Director
Hillel Queen’s University
"At Nazareth University, we are deeply committed to interfaith dialogue and responding to the needs of the moment. Like many campuses, we have been challenged to live out these values in response to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Our screening and discussion of "The Narrow Bridge" at Nazareth University helped us lean into these commitments in a new way that emphasized deep listening understanding, seeing the humanity in the other, and dialogue across what feels like intractable differences.
Students, faculty, and staff who attended the screening and participated in a Q and A with director Esther Takac were deeply moved by the deeply human stories of the individuals depicted in the film and by their commitment to dialogue in the most challenging of settings. The film touched us and challenged us, leaving us even more committed to painful but absolutely necessary conversations required in this moment and leaving us hopeful that,as challenging as it is, there is a path forward."
Julianne H. Miller
Interfaith Program Specialist
Nazareth University
"As members of Whitehorse Interfaith Group (Yukon Canada) we acknowledge that the situation in Israel and Gaza has impacted many members of our Whitehorse community. We wanted to show our community that there is positive hope for a solution and to bring to their awareness that not all is dark, that even in the darkest of night there are still rays of light.
We believe that there are two main issues in finding these rays of light - we do not hear about these groups, from both sides, that are working together towards reconciliation and resolution of the conflict, and the news coverage emphasis is often on the darkness and not the light. We understand people must be aware of the atrocities that takes place; however, we believe that people are not empowered by such news and they feel more and more depressed and powerless.
We were looking for a movie that would bring light into people's hearts and give them some hope that change is possible. We were fortunate to find The Narrow Bridge which shares the story of four people who lost close family members to the conflict, and through their loss have found the strength and courage to connect with the other side.
The movie deeply touched all those watching and gave them hope knowing people are working together for a better future. The Narrow Bridge shows what is possible for us when it comes to reconciliation by breaking the walls that separate us. Funds raised from the screening were donated to
Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun."
Whitehorse Canada
Last week The Forgiveness Project collaborated with the Lexi Cinema in north London and the Australian film director, Esther Takac to hold a screening of Esther’s award-winning documentary, The Narrow Bridge. The film tells the story of four members of the Bereaved Families Forum (two Palestinians and two Israelis) who despite the pain and trauma of losing loved ones have worked for peace in the region for many years.
The sold-out screening was followed by a moving Q&A with Muslim interfaith leader and peace activist, Julie Siddiqi, and Magen Inon whose parents were murdered by Hamas on Oct 7th.
There was an urgent call from the audience for the film to be shown widely to diverse audiences due to a growing polarization of opinion and demonization of others. People said this is so badly needed in our schools and universities right now - to start a discussion around "othering and why these strong positions have become intractable.”
Comments on social media afterwards included:
"Definitely one of the most moving and effective evenings I have ever been too.”
"Wow, what a roller coaster of emotion the film takes us on. We need to make a commitment to get it seen by as many people as possible.”
“It was the most powerful and moving evening. I hope more people get to see this extraordinary film.”
"How do the general public get to see this film? Can't think of a more powerful way to get the message across - that hate in the face of unbearable grief can be overcome.”
“Thanks so much for this evening. It was incredibly moving and so important"
The Forgiveness Project
London
On August 25th, 2024, a screening of THE VERY NARROW BRIDGE, a newly updated version of the film that incorporates more recent events, was held at Cinema Nova in Melbourne, Australia.
The event was hosted by Tim Costello (Social Justice Leader, Chair of the Community Council of Australia, and former CEO of World Vision Australia), and included a Q&A with the filmmaker, Esther Takac.
Here in Australia ever since 7 October we are witnessing damage to our multicultural communities, disturbing polarisation and frightening antisemitism and islamophobia. What we need are the ability to understand the pain of the other and compromise on both sides. Events such as this can play a critical role in helping foster that understanding and awareness.
Please take a moment to watch the clip below on the Cinema Nova screening,
produced by SBS Arabic TV .
Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Federal MP for Higgins, responds to THE VERY NARROW BRIDGE.
Mat Tinkler, CEO of Save the Children Australia, responds to THE VERY NARROW BRIDGE.
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