Three Times Divorced

“Every woman knows what her husband’s worth,” says Khitam, the protagonist of this all-too-real story; it’s a comment that invites multiple interpretations. This Gaza-born mother of six is in the fight of her life for custody of her children in a country where she has practically no rights. “Catch 22” doesn’t begin to describe her situation. The wife of an Arab Israeli in the Moslem Bedouin city of Rahat, Khitam was radicalized and emboldened by the violence, both overt and subtle, of their loveless marriage. Filmmaker Ibtisam Mara’ana becomes part of Khitam’s story, helping her find a women’s shelter, visiting the kids on the sly, and driving her, getaway style, from the family compound to an uncertain future. Winner of DocAviv and FIPA prizes.

From 2008 Festival: Director, Israel Filmography: 2003 Written and directed "Paradise Lost", 56 minutes documentary. Awards: • The Best Script Award for co-productions at the DocAviv Festival, Tel Aviv, 2003. • The First-Creation Award the Photography Award at the 2003 International DocAviv Festival, Tel Aviv. • The Documentary Award at the 2003 Women's Festival in Rehovot. 2004 Written and directed "Al -Jiser", (The Bridge), 50 minutes documentary. 2005 Written and directed "Badal", 60 minutes documentary, Awards: • The "Spirit of Freedom " Award, premiered at the Jerusalem International Festival, and IDFA film Festival. • The best short Documentary Award in HOTDOCS, Toronto. • The AWARD OF MAYOR OF OLOMOUC in THE International film festival Academia Film Olomouc. • The Channel Rai Award , in PREMIO International Documentary , ROME. 2007 Written and directed "THREE TIMES DIVORCED " ,75 minutes documentary. Awards: • Won The Best Israeli Award Of The International film festival DocAviv , TEL- AVIV , and the FIPA silver prize. THREE TIMES DIVORCED was premiered at the HOTDOCS International Film Festival.