Four For Itzik Golan

Four For Itzik Golan

  • 2/1/2013
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    ​Acclaimed actor Itzik Golan stars in Atlanta Jewish Film Festival featured film God's Neighbors.  A darling of the Cannes Film Festival, God's Neighbors is about three young Hassidic men who take it upon themselves to enforce religious law on the streets through violent means. When a pretty young women moves into the neighborhood one of the characters finds himself torn between his feelings for her and the codes of the gang. 

    In this personal interview Golan discusses his work in the Arab-Israeli theatre and why he didn't have to prepare much for this role as a religious gang member.

    Interview by Karen Isenberg Jones

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    ​KIJ: What is your role in G-d's Neighbor and how did you prepare for it?

    IG: I play one of the gang members. My character is always taking care of my friends, making sure they are protected and safe. They are my family and I'm trying all the time to keep everyone together. My character is always trying to keep the peace. If someone is in danger or in need my character acts as the big brother - the keeper of the gang. He is the emotional one.

    They (the producers) picked me up one week before the shooting of this film. I read the first page of the script and said "O.K." They wanted me to be fat.  I needed to add weight and I gained 13 pounds in 3 weeks. During the shooting I just ate and ate and ate. It was very funny.

    (Responding the preparing for his character mentally) Luckily, I knew about that world- the religious world, the violent world. I brought myself back (mentally) to my neighborhood as a teenager. I was a believer, praying every Friday, but I wasn't Orthodox.  I was always asking questions. I was always asking myself these questions: hat is religion for me? What is violence for me? What is drugs for me? Do I get respect because I'm a good person or because people are afraid of me? I remember running to the sea and asking G-d these questions just like the scene in the movie.  These questions were always part of my search when I was a kid.

     

    KIJ: You participate in an Arab-Jewish theatre in Yaffo. Tell me about that.

    IG: I've been part of this theatre for 7 years now.  It's a theatre where Arab and Israeli actors mix and play together.  It's a place that allows  you to leave politics outside and play together.  You come in and work and search together.  We are all friends. We respect each other.  It's interesting to be part of this theatre.  I don't car about politics. I care about being a kind and patient person that accepts and not judges others. This is my quest in life.

     

    KIJ: What are other projects are you working on now?

    IG: I'm working on Hamlet by Shakespeare. I shot another movie. My new project is comedy. I want to see the funny parts of my life. I'm looking for interesting characters to play and stories to tell. I'm writing a story about my  life. My mom is deaf and silent. I'm writing a story about a boy raised by a deaf mother.

     

    KIJ: IN 2011 you received an Outstanding Actor Award at The Small Theatre Festival in Tel Aviv. Would you consider this one of the highlights of your career?

    IG: I'm just in the beginning of my career. I have so much to explore. Saying something is a "highlight" is a scary thought. I guess winning best actor in 2011 is a highlight.  It's good for me as an artist to be acknowledged by everyone, but the award is not my goal.  For every part I'm trying to learn to become a better actor.. a braver artist... a more interesting artist.

     

     

     
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