Festivals & Awards:
Best Short Film Award in the Israeli Competition at EPOS International Art Film Festival: Jury Statement:
« Through the director's eyes, the fascinating and little-known story of Rachel Gera, an artist, jeweler, and bohemian figure with an independent, unconventional worldview is revealed. Conversations between the two foster an intimate acquaintance with Rachel, who becomes a source of inspiration for the director. Rachel’s extraordinary personality and unconventional perspective lend the film a depth that transcends the boundaries of a standard documentary portrait. The director weaves in her own struggles, dilemmas, and fears; the connection between the two narratives is crafted with sensitivity and artistic flair, creating a fresh, personal cinematic language.
For these reasons, the jury awards the Best Short Film prize to Rachel and Me, which offers a deeply human and sensitive portrait, paired with a fresh, personal cinematic style and an inspiring reflection on creativity, choice, and living outside conventions.»
Director's Statement:
A haunting sense of drift shaped my life until I encountered a beacon of light: Rachel, a 80-year-old jewelry designer. Her spirit, captured in this film, explores resilience, feminine strength, and the transformative power of human connection.
I always believed I needed to change myself to be loved. Romantic relationships reinforced childhood feelings of rejection, making me feel that I didn’t belong if I couldn’t meet others' expectations. Through Rachel, I discovered a new way to live and love. I realized I could be loved for who I am, just as Rachel did. I learned to shift my focus from achievements and others' opinions. As I stopped caring about these external pressures, a new perspective emerged where meaningful experiences could unfold.’’Rachel And Me’’ started as my university final project but evolved into something much more profound. My goal was to capture Rachel's unique personality and inspiring artistry. Some challenges arose when Rachel fell ill and couldn’t be filmed, which changed my original plan to make a film about her. However, during this time, she transformed my life, and I decided to share her approach through my story, reflecting the connection between us and the change that occurred within me. This approach allowed me to pay tribute to Rachel’s teachings about life and to celebrate her remarkable character.This film will always be special to me because it took me on an experience that changed my life. This film represents a significant chapter in my journey toward understanding feminine strength within a patriarchal world. It embodies a feminist perspective by exploring the power found in vulnerability, tenderness, and sisterhood. In the film, longing is rooted in an ancient tradition that reflects how women have historically supported and mentored one another, with older women acting as mentors to younger generations. I hope that my film will inspire others to embrace their true selves and find strength in vulnerability.
Hadar Yoselewitz
