Project Details
In the Middle of Nowhere, 2002.
Script, Direction, Production: Avi Bohbot, Yuval Delshad
Channel 2, Keshet
The first episode is based on a daring and cohesive group of jeep enthusiasts. They navigate the country’s roads with passion, their connection to the land of Israel is natural and pure, reminiscent of a bygone era. They know every bump, every rock along the desert paths their jeeps excel in traversing. Israel has never seemed so vivid, as seen on their tours, fragmented into grains of sand, flora, fauna, and people. The challenges they face with their upgraded jeeps border on madness. For these people, jeeps are not just a hobby; they are the center of their universe. Their upgrades often exceed the total price of the jeep itself. They always choose the toughest, most challenging paths, testing their machines and themselves. Danger is their game, and the edge of danger is always close. Each one of them is a former elite combat unit soldier, perhaps not by chance. The group is characterized by brotherhood and exceptional mutual dedication. The bonds between them, though short-lived, are deep and genuine. It’s a camaraderie usually only seen among soldiers or childhood friends. Sacrificing for the group’s sake and defending each other is inherent. If one of them gets stuck in the desert, the others rush to rescue him, regardless of the distance, without hesitation. If a breakdown occurs in one of the jeeps, everyone pitches in to help, even strangers, without expecting anything in return.
Arik is a lumber importer and leads the group’s desert adventures. Moshe is a successful lawyer, Jordan manages a large earthworks company, Maor raises soft chicks, Tal is a wholesale food merchant, Carmi is a fighter pilot, Castro manages a retirement home, and Israel is secretly doing something online. They all have free professions, and the tensions that accumulate during the week are released on the weekend jeep rides. These are not bored people looking for thrilling experiences in their leisure time but individuals whose lives revolve around jeeps. They are addicted to the jeep experience; they would sell their soul to buy a new part for their jeep, break up with their loved ones just to go on desert trips with their friends, and raid graves just to slightly improve their differential’s lock momentum, if such a thing exists. The main thread and storyline of the film focus on the jeep adventures guided by Arik, documenting the various participants in extremely challenging desert outings. The film’s plot revolves around the ongoing desert journey, with intercuts to “stations” along the way, where we see and characterize the Israeli jeep and its activities. Throughout the impossible journey with Arik and his friends, we occasionally encounter different jeepers and their various types of jeeps, defining them by their known characteristics.
The “stations” along the way will include, among other things: Hundreds of jeeps gathering on Friday afternoon to challenge the mud obstacle at Manderin Beach. A visit to the legendary jeep garage of Hamis from Holon, the builder of mythological jeeps. Ido, the inventor and builder of special jeeps, who look like they came out of the apocalyptic movie “Mad Max.” Nathan, the dealer and remodeler of jeeps from Fiberglass. Yankale, a legend in his own right, one of the senior jeepers in the country, will speak. Off-road jeep races. Urban jeep documentation on their drivers in the city. Additionally, we have archive material from jeep trips abroad—crossing the Rubicon in the U.S., dune rallies in Egypt, speed competitions in Cyprus, and desert raids in Jordan, Turkey, Greece, and even the Palestinian Authority. Vroom! Vroom!”
No Road, There’s a Way, 2001
2nd Episode, Documentary 50 minutes
Screenplay and Direction: Yuval Delshad
Production: Avi Bohbot, Yuval Delshad
Channel 2 “Keshet”
Yizhar Gamlieli, an adventurous jeep tour guide, embarks on a life-changing journey with a group of Israelis. In the rivers and blocked mountain paths of northern Greece, near the Albanian border, he rediscovers himself with the help of his fellow travelers and the Greeks they meet along the way. They manually clear rocks and fallen trees, opening roads to remote villages that are rarely visited, where hearts also open up. The journey takes them through breathtaking landscapes and villages whose aging residents fled from Ottoman rule, signaling the end of rural settlement in this remarkable region. This is the story of Yizhar’s love for this stunning land and his dream of finding his own little paradise and settling there.
