A Case Study Something to Live For
Narrative | Dramatic Features
Film Name: Something to Live For
Genre: Drama
Date: 2019
Director: Adva Reichman
Producer: Nir Dvortchin
Writer: Adva Reichman
Cinematographer: Gal Deren
Editor: Steven Markowitz, Eliya Reis
Composer: Nami Melumad
Production Company: USC
indieactivity: Describe your film?
Adva Reichman (AR): “Something to Live for” follows Nabila, an 8-months pregnant Palestinian woman, whose husband died in the Israeli prison. With the help of Hamas, she plans a terror attack in Israel in order to revenge his death in the Israeli prison. The premature birth of her baby makes her reconsider, but will Hamas let her off the hook?
Before I moved to LA, I worked in the Israeli media where we covered war and terror on an almost daily basis. Something inside of me broke during the Tzuk Eitan war in 2014, and when I came to the U.S, I realized I have to find a way to deal with it. Naturally, I turned to writing. I started with short films depicting the victims of terror and later wanted to explore the other side. I wanted to ask questions, to try and understand the complexity in which both sides live in. ‘Something to Live For’ was inspired by that.
Tell us about the festival run?
Adva Reichman (AR): The film screened in various festivals around the world including Italy, Cyprus, Romania, and the U.S. garnering countless nominations and 5 awards. It has been viewed by thousands of people and keeps circling the globe.
Give the full Official Synopsis for your film?
AR: Nabila, an 8 months pregnant widow, plans to commit a suicide terror attack in Israel. Rafik, her Hamas operator, wants her to prepare for any plausible scenario and trains her for different outcomes. While Nabila wants to revenge her husband’s death in the Israeli prison, her mother begs her to choose life. She confronts her daughter and says real Jihad isn’t about death, and that she should live to fight another day. The baby is born, and Nabila doubts her decision but learns her plan is no longer in her hands
The cast presents Anuar Jour as Nabila, Mozart Kteilat as Rafik, Melina Najar as Fatma, Tamir Mula as Mansour, Dalia Okal as Jameela, and Adam Haloon as Abed.
The Official Trailer for “Something to Live For” written and directed by Adva Reichman
Development & Financing?
AR: I wanted to put a strong woman in the lead and test her in what I saw as an impossible situation. The writing process lasted a few months, and I kept tweaking as we translated it from English to Hebrew to Arabic. For financing, I set up a crowdfunding account and turned to friends and acquaintances both in the U.S. and in Israel. That part was definitely challenging and required personal funds as well.
Festival Preparation & Strategy?
AR: I submitted to festivals I thought could understand the film, and that their visual style can match mine. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend all of them in person, but the ones I got to go to were worth every minute. Flying to different festivals can be very expensive, so it’s important to choose the ones you think can serve you best. The exposure and connections I made there are priceless. You can make posters and postcards, but nothing beats your actual presence, Q & A, and socializing.
Advice from the Filmmaker?
AR: The filmmaking process is long, difficult, and expensive. Since you can’t foresee the result of their success, make sure you spend your time and effort on projects you believe in.
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