Eran Riklis will be the
Emory University Schwartz Foundation Artist in Residence from Wednesday, August 26 through Friday, September 11. Riklis will present, introduce, and discuss three of his films, deliver three lectures on the history of Israeli Cinema, visit classes and supervise a student filmmaking project. All events are free, unticketed, and open to the public.
1) Congratulations
on being recognized as a Schwartz Artist in Residence at Emory University! As
part your residency, you’re giving three lectures and supervising a student
filmmaking project. What are you most excited to convey to your students and what
do you hope your students will take away from the experience?
I believe the most important topic is how to convey a sense of
individuality, of a unique voice and yet to be able to communicate on a wide,
diversified level. Filmmaking is personal and yet collaborative; unique and yet
affected by cinematic history; complex and yet has to communicate with a
variety of audiences on a global level. So I hope I'll be able to discuss all these
topics and issues, convey my views, hear what the students have in mind and
overall give a sense of filmmaking as a challenge, a choice and a commitment
to being relevant to the social, political and personal elements of life, in
and around all of us.
2) You’ve been
writing, producing and directing films since the mid-1980s. Briefly, how has
your cinematic style changed over the years?
A filmmaker is on a constant journey to portray the world around
him through a process of self-exploration, of understanding human nature, of
studying social and political trends and changes, of facing and crossing
physical, mental, psychological and emotional borders and bearing the
consequences. I think the style, the approach to all this doesn't really change,
it just keeps getting examined with a refined eye, a better understanding of
the world and a fine balance between the senses, the heart and the brain.
3) Your latest film, “A Borrowed Identity” (originally titled
“Dancing Arabs”), is a coming-of-age tale about an Arab-Israeli teenager who
attempts to blend in at a demanding Jerusalem boarding school before realizing
it could be at the cost of his true identity. How do you think American audiences are able
to connect to your stories about Israeli/Palestinian identity.
The film has already been shown around the country to great reviews and
wonderful audience response. Americans, in fact people around the world,
connect with the film, the characters, the story simply because they can see
themselves in the film, they can see their own life, families, friends,
societies and countries without any need for further explanation - the film
hits an emotional chord and creates a bond with the viewer even if he is
totally well informed about the specific Arab-Israeli story. This film is about
human beings, about minorities and majorities, about love and betrayal and
especially about identity - all topics we can easily identify with wherever we
are.
4) Are you
working on any new projects now? If so, can you provide any details?
I'm working on several projects with plans for at least the next
five years . . . these plans include a female-driven thriller set in Europe, a
spy story set in Germany, a post-Six Days War drama, a personal story set in
the Sixties and more . . .