Sadeh
What does it mean to [let land] rest? This is the question on the mind of Felix, a queer climate activist who moved to the first Jewish farm in the UK after becoming disabled.
Interview with Director Jessica Benhamou
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wanted to explore the ancient agricultural law of Schmita, whereby you let land lie fallow every seven years, and think deeply about the importance of rest - both for the environment and ourselves - in the modern world. The pandemic forced many of us to reassess our life/work balance and this was my way of tackling that subject.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You will find out about a British Jewish community you never knew existed.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This short film is about the power of rest - in relation to the environment, disability, your inner life and the world.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We were awarded the UKJFF's Short Doc Fund and that launched our journey into making Sadeh.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Reviews:
“★★★★ A moving lesson in changing world views in three minutes” Jewish Renaissance
“Looks absolutely stunning, lush and idyllic, an excellent narrator... well worth seeing.” BBC Radio Kent“
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
On one occasion, but best not to elaborate further.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
To show people a new side of Judaism and reconsider the importance of rest.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We want to distribute the film online.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Inspirational and feel-good.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What does it mean to [let land] rest?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I have a docuseries in studio-funded development with Submarine Entertainment and a TV drama series with Benedict Cumberbatch's SunnyMarch.
Interview: March 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Sadeh
What does it mean to [let land] rest? This is the question on the mind of Felix, a queer climate activist who moved to the first Jewish farm in the UK after becoming disabled.
Length: 3:00
Director: Jessica Benhamou
Producer: Sarah Kendal
About the writer, director and producer:
JESSICA BANHAMOU is a director across factual and fiction, represented by Creative Artists Agency. She directed an episode of the cybercrime docuseries, hacker:HUNTER, and has an investigative docuseries - The Ridge - in studio-funded development with Submarine Entertainment. Her short films have played at multiple BAFTA and Oscar qualifying festivals such as BFI Flare, Cinequest and AmDocs.
SARAH KENDAL is a freelance broadcast journalist and producer working across radio and television. During the pandemic, she worked in a Covid - secure way to produce a podcast series called Course Correction for Foreign Policy Magazine. Sarah has also produced two series of digital discussion programmes called Dear World Live, streamed live to an over 500,000 global audience.
Key cast: Felix Wilk (contributor)
Looking for: distributors
Facebook: JSB Films
Instagram: @j_s_b_films
Hashtags used: #Jewishfarmers #Sadehfarm
Website: www.jsbfilms.com
Other: IMDb
Funders: UKJFF's Short Doc Fund