Community Event: Torn

Special guests include Israeli filmmaker Nim Shapira and Israeli artists Nitzan Mintz and Dede Bandaid, designers of the original hostage poster series.

In Torn, Israeli filmmaker Nim Shapira delves into the Israel-Gaza conflict as it unfolds on the streets of New York City, away from the war zone but equally charged with tension. The film traces the intense debates ignited by the “Kidnapped from Israel” poster campaign, a grassroots effort to raise awareness on the plight of the 240 hostages taken by Hamas. These posters quickly become flashpoints for clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups, offering a window into the personal and political dimensions of the conflict.

Through rare, intimate glimpses into the lives of hostage families, Torn captures the human stories often lost in headlines. Deftly connecting local art and activism to the broader political landscape, the film also meaningfully explores the motivations of activists embroiled in this ‘paper arm’ war. With an urgent and raw approach, Shapira's compelling debut unravels the complexities of a conflict fought across continents, revealing the emotional depth behind every poster.