After a devastating fire, one captures his unique community’s struggle with their new reality.
Our Story
The community of Mevo Modi’im came to be in the 1970s from a beautiful dream inspired by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and was founded on a mix of ideals based on love, prayer, and music. Like every group of people, there are hard truths that remain below the surface. When we do not confront those truths it separates us into our own worlds. Similar to my community I only chose to see the beautiful things in life; little did I know.
In the aftermath of a fire in May 2019 my community was thrust together on a new uncertain path. The moments when no one had anything but the clothes on their backs and each other, reminded us as individuals of how dependent we are on our community.
Now united in a new goal to rebuild our home, we choose to confront those same truths that are now finally arising. It isn’t clear if it will be enough to hold us together as some might choose to leave, though one thing is for sure I will do my part.
Impact
How we all need community
There are moments throughout our film that show the dark and hard parts of what it means to be part of a community. As the story unfolds we understand that only through acceptance of those ugly places in each other, only then can we really love and grow.
In a world where it is so easy to escape and build walls, the beautiful thing in a community is that you are forced to look out of your box and interact with your friends and family. These are the people that help us on our journey to meaning, they mirror who we really are and bring us closer to who we want to be.
Coping with disaster
The film takes a look at a community as it moves through the initial stages of shock and grief when losing a home. The sad reality is, that forest fires and natural disasters aren't anything new, and many around the world have suffered complete devastation. Still, when losing those things that are irreplaceable, it is exactly the time when all that is precious to us becomes apparent. We hope others will be inspired by seeing how individuals and families manage to cope and support each other while rebuilding their new future.
The beauty of spirituality
Religion is often looked at as a colorless way to live surrounded by strict rules. Our film takes a good look at a religious community that doesn't really fit the bill of its kind. Through intimate observation of people facing the unknown, the film slowly shows the unique qualities of what it means to connect to something deeper than one's self.
It is in our spiritual moments, as we gather in celebration singing and dancing, we play our instruments to match ourselves to our neighbor's song. It is a moment of profound ecstasy that one can not reach alone. It becomes clear that there is a beautiful connection between community and religion.
The Creators
Producer & Co-Director
My name is Yehuda Golomb, born and raised in a small community of less than a hundred families called Mevo Modi'im. I have always been fascinated by sci-fi and fantasy stories that help me see the beauty in the world around me. Naturally from there, it was a skip and a hop to diving into filmmaking.
In the aftermath of the fire, which destroyed my home and those of many of my friends and neighbors, I began to document the process of rebuilding and our journey back to familiar grounds.
Coming from a place of imagination, I found myself struggling with the creation of something so real and exposing. These challenges I confronted, brought me to a breaking point where I almost gave up and stopped filming. It has hit me that the clash between fantasy and reality will always accompany me, and surprisingly I have found it to be my main source of inspiration.
Director
My name is Ido Fruchter, a young filmmaker from Israel. I am drawn to powerful yet small stories that pass us by on our day to day. If we only took a moment to really listen, we would see the beauty in all that is around us.
Sad to say, in most of my previous projects I got used to working alone. Something about it was probably easier. But "easy" is not necessarily good. Now, after a fascinating journey I am just beginning to understand the importance of true teamwork in creating something meaningful and for all aspects of life.