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Pause

Omer Sterenberg

Producers

Ayelet Kait, Amir Harel

Lab Edition

12

,

2024

Production

Lama Films

Country

Israel

SYNOPSIS

Itay and Alon, born and raised in the Golan Heights, have been best friends for as long as they can remember. Alon is already a year into his military service, and Itay is about to enlist and join the same unit. They go on a road trip to Eilat, to celebrate Itay's upcoming draft. Their plans take an unpredictable turn when they pick up Osher, a transgender in her late 20s who’s running away from her abusive husband. Itay falls for Osher and decides to help her despite Alon's suspicions and growing jealousy. The three find shelter in an isolated desert commune, and it seems like life can finally pause. But violence and war soon find a way in, confronting them with secrets and feelings they’ve been hiding from each other, forcing Itay to confront his identity and fears.

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

As war and violence rage, the expectation for sacrifice increases. As if a violent death is a pre-written destiny, young men throw themselves into the fire with a burning faith that this is the only way they can protect their loved ones. When does one stop being a child and become a soldier? Are life and death, love and war, really opposite, or two sides of the same coin? And in the midst of history unfolding with massive force, what is the meaning of innocence and compassion?

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Born in Haifa, Israel in 1992, Omer graduated from the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School with the highest honors. His short film Listening In (HaMa'azin) premiered in Berlinale and participated in dozens of international film festivals.

PRODUCERS

Ayelet Kait, Amir Harel

Lama Films concentrates on projects with a political-social-cultural orientation. Whether fiction or documentaries, Lama Films' projects address phenomena that reflect the essence of Israeli existence, yet still appeal to diverse audiences around the world. Among Lama Films projects are: Golden Globe winner for Best International Film and Oscar nominee Paradise Now; Venice Film Festival official selection Valeria is Getting Married and Tel-Aviv on Fire; US box office hit and Berlinale films Walk on Water and Yossi & Jagger; Cannes Film Festival, Camera d’Or Winner Jellyfish and James' Journey to Jerusalem.

​PRODUCTION COMPANY PROFILE

○ Lama Films, Tel Aviv
○ +972-54-5679367
ayelet@lamafilms.com

​PRODUCTION BUDGET

○ Total budget: 750,000 euro

LANGUAGE

Hebrew

GENRE

Drama

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