Imaging Migrants Seminar Series
See the whole series of seminars: http://www.uel.ac.uk/cmrb/seminars.htm
University of East London, Docklands Campus,
Room: EB 1.37 (Matrix East Research Lab) Wednesdays 5.30pm-7.30pm
29th February 2012
Yohai Hakak
Gevald and the role of truth in documentary
Israel as viewed by a member of extremely orthodox Jewish sects, one that does not recognize the State of Israel. As a young Haredi boy, Shmuel-Haim Pappenhym knew he must cover his eyes during Independence Day fireworks so as not to participate in “Zionist celebrations”. Today, as a radical Ultra-Orthodox leader, he organizes mass demonstrations against the State of Israel. He is also the editor of an influential magazine of a radical Jewish sect known for not recognizing the State of Israel. In contrast, Ultra-Orthodox parliament member, Rabbi Avraham Ravitz, served in the Israeli Army, and has been involved in mainstream politics for many years. As national election day approaches, Ravitz anxiously tallies his party’s projected parliament seats. Conversely, Pappenhym is counting on high numbers of voter abstentions. For Pappenhym, participation in Zionist elections is a grave sin.
In his presentation he will pose questions about reflexivity in documentary films and what claims these films have about portraying reality and ‘the truth’. He will speak about the work on this series as a field-site for ethnographic research. He is currently analysing the process of producing/directing/editing of the series. He is building literature review of relevant academic references and media ethnographies that deal with the production process of media representations of religious minorities.
About the Author:
Dr. Yohai Hakak is a senior lecturer in social work at the School of Health Sciences and Social Work, University of Portsmouth.
http://www.port.ac.uk/research/ceisr/members/YohaiHakak/ <https://uel-mail1.uel.ac.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.port.ac.uk/research/ceisr/members/YohaiHakak/> His research so far has explored different aspects of the Jewish Israeli Ultra Orthodox community. Based on his research he has co-directed a documentary series about this community, entitled: Haredim. The series consists of 3 parts, each 50 minutes long. In this seminar he will present part 1 entitled: ‘Gevald!’
Contact Yohai through: Email: yohai.hakak@port.ac.uk
