VIEW THE TRAILER HERE

On Sunday, March 18, 2007, refusing to be enemies: the zeitouna story, the 58-minute documentary by Ann Arbor filmmaker Laurie White, premiered in front of an unprecedented, full house at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. It drew the most diverse audience—out-of-towners and folks from the wider Detroit area, local high school students, the university community, members of faith-based groups, peaceniks, community leaders, experts on the Middle East, lots and lots of curious locals. There were three standing ovations—for the film, for Laurie White, the writer/director/producer, and the Zeitouna women standing on stage. 

In the ten short months since then, the documentary has gone on to inspire and energize thousands more people, from Washington, D.C. to South Dakota to Traverse City. Wherever it is screened--university campuses, high schools, places of worship, conferences--the same question arises:  "How can I do this and make peace happen in my community?"

We are building the infrastructure for an organization that will distribute the documentary far and wide with related educational supports. In this way, refusing to be enemies: the Zeitouna story will foster and lend support to dialogue efforts around the nation.

For information about two such projects in Dearborn and Flint, that have earned an award from the Case Foundation, please see:  http://miyo.casefoundation.org/refusing-to-be-enemies

BIG APPRECIATIVE THANK YOU

The Zeitouna Movie Project feels very indebted to the premiere sponsors -- Zingerman's Community of Businesses and Gretchen Gardner & Josh Pokempner -- and the many tireless volunteers who made the evening happen as dreamed. Thanks to the three premiere ticket outlets: Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, Michigan Peaceworks and Exotic Bakeries, and to Michigan Theater’s Amanda Strong for guiding us into show business! And of course, thanks to all who filled a seat in the Michigan Theater on premiere night!

Viewer comments from Premiere:

“As a Jewish Palestinian rights activist and strong supporter of the right to return, I have reservations about dialogue-based projects. I’m sure you’re familiar with the various arguments. In the case of this movie, I no longer have any of these reservations. Thank you for creating a powerful tool in the pursuit of justice and peace in Israel/Palestine, and a message of hope for the honor and souls of my own people.”

 “I expected a lot and I got even more than I expected. Very moving.”

“Honest, instructive, sad, upsetting, hopeful, memorable, powerful, amazing!”

“I hope this film is as successful as “An Inconvenient Truth” and reaches a wider audience, i.e. males and oppressed women, as well as those of us free to choose our paths as you have done.”

“I loved it. Me being a Palestinian and having family there, I thank you so much for this film so that one day we can all live as one.”

“Enormously effective film, brings humanity and information to every audience. Should be shown to high school and college students.”

“I cannot express how much hope you have given me. I want to go out and spread love, to myself, to others, and to the world. This movie made me feel that peace should be everywhere.”

“Beauty of the faces. Power of the women.”

“Bravo. How do we join? How do we help? Could a group of men do this?”

“This amazing film and extraordinary group of women who teach the idea of coexistence would be well complimented by the Jerusalem International YMCA. The idea of coexistence and peaceful solutions resonate deep within me and this film strengthened the ideas taught to me by the JIY.”

“As a Jewish woman and general citizen for justice, I’m moved by the work here. I appreciate the bravery and willingness. Thank you for showing us discipline, quiet, openhearted tolerance, vulnerability, and collaboration.”

The movie profiles the twelve women of an Ann Arbor dialogue group called Zeitouna ("olive tree" in Arabic) and documents their developing relationship over a four-year period. Six of the Zeitouna women are of Arab descent and six are of Jewish descent. Some are native born and some are immigrants. What they all have in common is their humanity and their desire to bridge the gulf that has developed between their two communities. They chose the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the focus of the group and use the dialogue process as a means of personal transformation leading to socio-political transformation.

In 2004, Laurie White envisioned of a film showing Zeitouna’s learning as a model for others. Refusing To Be Enemies is Zeitouna’s story, a 58-minute documentary targeted for national and international distribution as an inspiring educational tool. White captures both the pain and the joy inherent in dialogue’s mastery. The 17-minute trailer captures close-up the complexity of the emotions that arise from the dialogue process. The intimacy of the documentary is due in part to the unique access and background of director Laurie White who, in addition to being a filmmaker, is a psychotherapist and a Zeitouna member. Some of White's prior movies include Roger and Me (co-producer), Come Unto Me: The Faces of Tyree Guyton (associate producer), No Excuse (director/producer, commissioned by the Ann Arbor Mayor's Taskforce on Increasing Safety for Women) and Yoga from the Ground Up: the Iyengar Tradition (director/producer).

PREMIERE PRESS RELEASE

Info about Refusing to Be Enemies movie: movie@zeitounamovie.org


TO DONATE
A gift to the Zeitouna Movie Project plants the seeds of dialogue where they will take root, grow and bear fruit.

Your tax-deductible gift at any level will support screenings / festival exposure / building, producing and distributing the dialogue guide and DVD / translations (we hope!) into Arabic and Hebrew. Thank you for being a part of the Zeitouna Movie Project.

Send your check made to "Minerva Projects" with "Zeitouna Movie Project" in the memo line to:

Zeitouna Movie Project
c/o Minerva Project
322 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Or donate with a credit card online here: