Full Description
How do you do justice to a story that is infinitely complicated? One approach is to make a documentary that reveals as much as it leaves hidden. Layla, a regal Egyptian-born Muslim who immigrated to Israel in 1968 with her ex-husband, now lives in Jerusalem, cut off from her siblings across the border and from her children, who have integrated into Israeli life and turned their back on their mother. Layla has lost so much, and now harbors a simple yet seemingly unattainable dream for herself: To obtain a driver’s license. After 200 driving lessons, she finally meets Mr. Nimar, a soft-spoken driving instructor who vows to help her overcome her fears and attain this small symbol of independence. Filmmaker Anat Yuta Zuria (Purity, SFJFF 2003) unveils Layla’s dramatic life story piecemeal by documenting her conversations with Nimar, who takes an active interest in the circumstances of his student’s life. She also captures intimate scenes of Layla’s interactions with her daughter, a free spirit who struggles to support her mother’s growing religious identity while also falling in love with a Jewish musician. This original documentary serves as a stirring reminder that in the Middle East, nothing is simple, and heartbreak is everywhere.
