Coexistence, My Ass!
Events
In the name of her village lies a utopian idea that shaped Noam Shuster Eliassi from childhood: Neve Shalom (Hebrew) or Wahat al-Salām (Arabic) roughly means “Oasis of Peace.” The small community of around 300 people from Jewish and Arab families was founded in 1969. It is located in Israel near the border with the West Bank and serves as an experiment in living solidarity.
As children, Noam and her Palestinian friend Ranin already become ambassadors of understanding, for example when visitors such as Hillary Clinton or Jane Fonda come to the village. A career with the United Nations seems almost predetermined.
In her comedy show “Coexistence, My Ass!”, which director Amber Fares uses as a central theme in the film, Shuster Eliassi takes a sharper tone. With her career change from diplomacy to political comedy – performing in English, Hebrew, or Arabic depending on the audience – the film shows her as a critic of the Netanyahu government, both before and after the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.
Her story also reflects the inner conflict of parts of the Israeli left. After experiencing deep grief and losing loved ones, Shuster Eliassi expresses anger about the war in Gaza. What can humor do in such a situation? What is it allowed to do? Perhaps it can help people mourn the suffering of two peoples and keep alive the hope for peace despite everything.
Film discussion with
Dr. Claudia Baumgart-Ochse, Senior Researcher “Transnational Politics” at the Leibniz Institute for Peace and Conflict Research Frankfurt
Rosemarie Tuchelt, naxos.Kino