Meet the 2012 Tribeca Filmmakers #25: ‘Room 514’ Director Sharon Bar-Ziv
As director Sharon Bar-Ziv tells it, it’s not easy to find an empowered female character in the world of Israeli film. Bar-Ziv is attempting to rectify that with his film “Room 514,” which is set within a “patriarchal military world.” Bar-Ziv notes that the fact he is a man made the process all the more interesting (and challenging) for him to tackle this issue.
What’s it about?: “A confrontation between a beautiful and determined female military investigator and an outstanding commander, accused of inflicting unnecessary violence in the Occupied Territories.”
Director Bar-Ziv says: “”ROOM 514” is a realistic drama, dealing with the internal Israeli complex, in which the good and the bad are not always easy to differentiate. In “Room 514″ I use expressive shots, realistic acting and detective plot in order to examine the values of the younger Israeli generation in a fresh cinematic style.”
On challenges: “For the first time in Israeli film making, you can watch a beautiful, strong, determined and focused young woman, who is dealing successfully with the patriarchal military world. As a man it was a great challenge to create this additional layer. I really enjoyed it!”
Inspirations while making the film?: “I like honesty and emotional depth. I find them in the films of the Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami (“10”, “close up”). “Man Escaped” by Robert Bresson, gave me the courage to shoot compressed and expressive drama. Japanese films Shows how cinema can be an internal investigation.”
What would you lik Tribeca audiences to take away?: “Like the directors of the French new wave, I use my camera “as a pen”. I believe one can create a strong drama with simple means. I would like the Tribeca audiences to come and celebrate with me the quality of simplicity.”
Any future projects?: “I’m writing a script about a police detective who chases an extreme nationalist.”
Indiewire invited Tribeca Film Festival directors to tell us about their films, including what inspired them, the challenges they faced and what they’re doing next. We’ll be publishing their responses leading up to the 2012 festival.
Keep checking HERE every day up to the launch for the latest profiles.
