Filmmaker documents left’s dilemma in Middle East
In the corner of a crowded Starbucks at Bathurst and Steeles, Igal Hecht can almost always be found hunched over his laptop, working away on his latest movie and his next big statement about Jewish contemporary issues and its impact on fellow North Yorkers.
Hecht, who was raised and still resides in our community, has made 11 movies on the topic, though his latest film, Not in My Name, takes the issue beyond North York and into the Jewish community at large. In this latest movie, Hecht looks at the political left and documents how the Middle East conflict has torn the “leftist” community in half — those who believe in a two-state solution and the rest, who believe the state of Israel was never meant to exist.
Growing up in the midst of the large Jewish community in North York, Hecht got to see first-hand the impact of foreign politics on a small Canadian community. In fact, he shot most of the documentary in our neighbourhood, at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre, at York University and at several sites with private property that had been vandalized with anti-Semitic messages.
He also travelled to Vancouver, the Maritimes and Israel for material, even talking with members of the Palestinian community, asking them for video footage taken by their news photographers.
“We have video footage that has never been seen before,” said 27-year-old Hecht. “We wanted to be sure that we were balanced and I think we’ve done a good job in showing all sides.”
While most of his films deal with controversial issues within the Jewish community, Hecht said he has perhaps made the most enemies while filming Not in My Name.
“There are a lot of people on the left who hate me right now,” he said, adding that, coincidentally, he also had his window smashed and his tires slashed while making the documentary. “I know it’s airing dirty laundry, but I don’t care. I’m known to deal with controversial subjects. I enjoy it.”
His keenness to tackle issues head-on has given him credibility within the mainstream media and has won him accolades within the community. However, at this year’s Toronto Jewish Film Festival, extra security had to be called in when the audience got into a loud debate after the show. Some people told Hecht he should have profiled other groups who weren’t so extreme
“These groups aren’t that extreme,” said Hecht. “We’re very happy about the film. Obviously it hits a nerve. Sometimes people don’t like to see in the mirror when you show them their reflection.”
This is the third year in the row one of Hecht’s films was featured in the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, and this summer he will also be submitting this film for the Toronto International Film Festival and various other international film festivals around the world.
