Israeli Documentary: That's How It Was
50-60 ₪
The film 'The Way It Was' narrates the life story of author Meir Shalev in his own voice, utilizing a rich and diverse archive of interviews and personal documentation. The film presents a portrait of a diligent and passionate creator, focusing on themes such as writing, family, and the land of Israel. The event will include a conversation with director Adi Arbel.
The film 'The Way It Was' narrates the life story of author Meir Shalev in his own voice, utilizing a rich and diverse archive of interviews and personal documentation. The film presents a portrait of a diligent and passionate creator, focusing on themes such as writing, family, and the land of Israel. The event will include a conversation with director Adi Arbel.
Additional Details
**The Story Was Like This, Israel, 2026 / 62 minutes**
Directed by: Adi Arbel
Winner of the Audience Award at the Docaviv Festival 2026
**Includes a meeting with director Adi Arbel**
Meir Shalev, one of the greatest writers in the Hebrew language, tells his life story in his own voice. Alongside his beloved books, Meir Shalev left behind a rich archive of interviews, family documentation, and rare research notebooks. Shalev shares personal stories along with his beloved books, creating a portrait of a diligent and passionate craftsman. This is a film about writing and family, about the land and political struggles, and about the mythical story of the country.
**About the Meeting:**
Adi Arbel is a senior documentary film director. She directed "Grossman" about David Grossman (nominated for the Ophir Award), the film "Personal Questions" about Gila Almagor and Yaakov Agmon, the series "Life as a Rumor" about Assi Dayan (Academy Award winner), and more. Her films have been broadcast on Israeli and international channels and have participated in numerous festivals. She served for a decade as the artistic director of HOT 8, the documentary channel on cable. Alongside her documentary work, she edits and develops narrative series. In the meeting, she will share behind-the-scenes insights of creating a documentary film, about the interaction between the creator and cultural heroes, the cinematic encounter between different arts, and about precious moments in each film and moments that were left out.
