Garden of Eden
Documentary film by Yehudit Kahana
Writer and producer: Avi Bohbot
D.C.P. 24fps\52:46 Min. \HD 50:40 Min.
Project Topic
There are 15% of adolescents considered at risk in Israel alone and is also growing in other parts of the world. Our project tells the story of three struggling adolescents at the “Garden of Eden,” a rehabilitative farm for young teen girls at risk. Founded by the Efrati Hasidic family, the farm provides a home for girls who have been disowned and abused by their educational and societal systems.
We want to show that this project conveys a universal story about the struggle of our young generation and that these programs can make a difference. Judith, the film’s director, has spent her life in a religious community where abandoned youths are a common sight. Her understanding of their backgrounds inspired her to share their untold stories. This film has been very successful having already been accepted to the Haifa Film Festival and has successfully aired on Israel’s Channel 2 on the 19 of November on the eve of the Universal Children’s Day.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/79004531
For screenings and lectures, contact us here:
avibohbot@gmail.com | Avi: 972 50 2099955
Story Summary
Koleta, a wildly independent 17-year-old ran away from her family at age 15 to escape the burden of living with her unemployed parents. Ateret, a charismatic 18-year-old, ran away from home at the age of 13 because of the pressures her family forced upon her. Tehila struggled with her strict Haredi family, dropped out of religious school and ran away from home.
The three girls spend years on the streets until the Israeli Government intervenes. With their lives in disarray and nowhere else to turn, these runaways have no choice but to comply with the welfare authorities’ decision to have them sent to the “Garden of Eden” farm.
Here, the three girls join others and are put to work on the farm. They cook, clean, paint, plant trees, and care for the livestock. In their spare time, the girls socialize with their peers and study to complete their high school education.
Living in an isolated location provides Koleta, Ateret, and Tehila with the necessary space to reevaluate their lives. The Garden of Eden farm motivates them to heal more effectively than any other rehabilitation center in Israel.
Distribution Stage
Garden of Eden is now in its distribution stage. We are currently seeking international broadcasting contracts. We have made contact with several film festivals and film funds to provide a greater distribution market.
Through Israel’s unique perspective, we intend that our film will reach a wide distribution partnership. We believe that subsequently after this, we can impact a global audience and raise awareness of adolescents-at-risk.
Key Creative Personnel
Judith Kahana / Director
Judith Kahana is a director, editor and cameraman. She graduated in film and television in the University Center of Ariel in Samaria. She also holds a diploma in Media Studies at the “Reiya” Yafo College in Tel-Aviv. Judith now teaches film at Alumot, a junior high-school in Tel-Aviv. This is Judith’s directorial feature length film debut at Chaos Films. Her works include: “The Story of a Bag”, “Apple in Honey”, “In a Paradise of Childhood”, which was a top three finalist in the Herzliya film festival. Her work as an editor for both shorts “Scent of a Bountiful Day” and “To be Built of Her” has won numerous awards.
Miri Laufer / Editor
Miri Laufer is the editor of numerous documentary films and TV series. She has worked with well-known directors and documentary filmmakers in Israel such as Uri Rosenwaks and Ibtisam Maraana. Over the last 10 years, she has collaborated as an editor with her brother, Erez Laufer. She is currently working on the film, “One Day After Peace”, her directorial debut.
Producer/ Avi Bohbot
Avi Bohbot is a Producer and Director based in Tel Aviv. In 2004 he founded Chaos Films with the vision of creating artistic and thought provoking films. This boutique production company specializes in feature films, documentaries, television series and cross media productions. In addition, Avi also leads screenwriting/ filmmaking workshops, and as an artistic consultant for the Israeli Film Fund. “The Last Sermon”, an international co-production currently distributed internationally, winner of the “Hope Award 2020” at the Human Rights Film Festival in Tunis, and the Best Feature Film Award and the “Truth Seeker” Award at the Queens International Film Festival in New York 2020.
