THE NARROW BRIDGE

As the world reels with horror and despair at the shocking loss of life in both Israel and Gaza we need to see there is another way. With this violence and the Russia-Ukraine war, psychological trauma is rising globally. We know that living with conflict increases trauma, and trauma increases conflict. Trauma affects the body, mind and spirit. Seeing yourself as a victim, anger and isolation interfere with recovery, while telling your story and finding community promote resilience. The film participants are building such a community ‘Israeli Palestinian Bereaved Families’ which nurtures conflict resolution and enables trauma to be witnessed and transformed into meaning. As past efforts at peace negotiations have failed, our participants know there is a desperate need to change the culture of conflict, reduce stereotyping and build empathy. They show us the way to both post traumatic growth and conflict resolution.

THE NARROW BRDIGE shows how people develop strengths after trauma and offers a model of pathways to conflict resolution. Through the participants’ journeys the possibility of posttraumatic growth is explored. We see how even after the death of a child or parent, it’s possible to understand the pain of the other side, reduce fear and mistrust and develop empathy. These personal stories of healing signal the steps their peoples and others across the globe could take on the road to peace.

The film hopes for outcomes on personal, national and international levels. Personally the film shows how even after terrible trauma it’s possible to develop new strengths and achieve positive change. Professionals and organisations working with traumatised people will be able to use the film as a therapeutic tool.
Nationally and internationally the film offers a model of pathways to reconciliation for people in conflict and trauma situations. It shows how dialogue workshops, women’s groups and conversations with high school students break down stereotypes and reduce fear and mistrust. An annual Memorial Ceremony for Victims of the Conflict decreases each side’s experience of exclusive victimhood. The film affords organisations working with conflict a resource for policy change and education. Finally the film nurtures hope and reconciliation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thus the film aims to change minds and behaviours, and ultimately drive changes in policy.

Partnerships are in place with Kids4Peace, Alliance for Middle East Peace, Combatants for Peace, Plus61J Media, Wasatia Centre for Moderate Islam and The Peres Centre for Peace. People from these organisations have been consulted regarding the film, thereby ensuring the narrative and perspective is well informed, fair and balanced. A collaborative partnership exists with Israeli Palestinian Bereaved Families such that they have given me full cooperation and access to their printed and film materials. Furthermore relationships are in place with local Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian organisations and communities in Australia. These organisations will promote screenings and maximise audiences, tapping into the existing reach of each organisation. Plus61J Media brought the film’s participants, Israeli Rami Elhanan and Palestinian Bassam Aramin on a high profile speaking tour May 2023 where they spoke at Sydney Writer’s Festival, Wheeler Centre, to politicians and community groups.

We hope viewers increase their awareness of resilience after trauma and learn about posttraumatic growth. We hope viewers gain understanding of a possible roadmap to reconciliation for people in situations of conflict and trauma and see how personal empathy and political reconciliation can be actively developed. We hope viewers gain a sense of hope about conflict resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the understanding that there people on both sides who are working towards peace. We hope there is a change in negative stereotypes about Palestinians or Israelis, a reduction in fear, mistrust and hate, and an increase in empathy. We hope viewers actively support the work of Israeli Palestinian Bereaved Families and other organisations working in the space of Israeli Palestinian collaboration and conflict resolution. We hope viewers rally their communities and pressure politicians to reduce negative stereotyping, support conflict resolution and work towards policy change.