Agenda Item: Erasure | Film Screening

Two months into the genocide in Gaza, seven political activists got together inside a closed, empty theater in Tel Aviv. Each of them fights the injustices of the state – violence, landgrab, erasure and obfuscation – in their own way. They were asked to read the transcripts of government meetings dating back to 1948, which had been classified until recently and opened for access after a long struggle by Akevot Institute.

Viewers watch the activists as they take their first look at the transcripts, exposed documentation that was inaccessible for decades, and together with them, learn about dark aspects of Israeli history. The film seeks to shed light on the connection between silencing crimes of the past and attempts to silence opposition to crimes of the present.

Director: Einat Weizman

Akevot Institute for Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Research was founded in 2014 out of a recognition of the unique role archives can play in fostering fact-based discourse, and supporting the work of human rights defenders. We make archives a tool for change by researching and exposing mechanisms, processes and events who play a role in the perpetuation of the Conflict. We assist human rights defenders and civil society organizations in accessing archival documentation relevant to their work. We campaign to expand the public’s access to government archives to promote transparency and freedom of information.

Following the film, there will be an open Q&A with Lior Yavne, Director of the Akevot Institute.

The screening forms part of the third symposium in the series Common Ground: Deconstructing Walls - Narrative and Recognition.

27. Feb | 18:30

Atelierhaus der Akademie der Bildenden Künste

Lehargasse 6–8, 1060 Vienna