Red Lounge „Born in Deir Yassin“ – April 8, 2018

Striving to present and reflect on different narratives in Israel and Palestine, the Willy Brandt Center, in cooperation with the Israeli NGO Zochrot, presented the multi-award winning film „Born in Deir Yassin“.

The movie features the history and development of Deir Yassin, a former Arab village close to Jerusalem which was conquered by the Jewish paramilitary groups Irgun and Lehi in a highly controversial battle in 1948. The village buildings today are part of the Kfar Shaul Mental Health Center, a public psychiatric hospital.

The film traces a young man’s personal journey looking for records of his mother who was hospitalized at the premises. The film unveils not only her personal story but also those of former underground fighters in the war of Independence, who disclose the controversial narratives of Deir Yassin through their contradicting memories.

The well-attended screening was followed by a public discussion with film director Neta Shoshani and historian Dr. Adel Mana (Van Leer Institute), moderated by Debby Farber (Zochrot).