The Narrow Bridge

Psychological trauma is rising globally. We now know that living with conflict increases trauma, and trauma increases conflict. In Israel and Palestine where our story is set, up to 30% of people suffer from PTSD. Trauma affects people physiologically, emotionally and socially in ways that can intensify reactivity and violence. Seeing yourself as a victim, anger and isolation interfere with recovery, whilst telling your story and being witnessed, creating meaning out of your pain and finding community promote resilience. The participants in our film have built such a community ‘Israeli Palestinian Bereaved Families’ which nurtures conflict resolution, enables trauma to be witnessed and pain transformed into meaning. Past efforts at peace negotiations have failed largely due to grassroots violence. Our participants know there’s a desperate need to change the culture of conflict, reduce fear and build empathy. They’re working hard towards growth after trauma and conflict resolution.

This film shows how people develop strengths after trauma and offers a model of pathways to reconciliation for people in conflict. 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, Council of Christians, Jews and Muslims, Blue Knot Centre for Trauma, 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. A Palestinian psychologist has been engaged as a consultant on issues relevant to the Palestinian experience of trauma and conflict. Furthermore relationships are in place with local Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian organizations and communities in Australia. These organisations will promote screenings and maximize audiences, tapping into the existing reach of each organization.

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.

Indicators for success include the number of people who watch the film, community screenings organised and the use of additional educational resources about trauma and conflict resolution. We will look at how the film is used as a therapeutic tool and an advocacy resource. We will assess how many people attend events where the film characters speak and how many people engage with the online education material. We will monitor how many screenings take place at universities, interfaith and community centres and NGO’s both locally and internationally. Where possible we will devise methods to assess changes in attitudes about trauma, stereotypes, reduction of fear and hate of the other, and increase in empathy. We will assess changes in viewers’ beliefs about conflict resolution. We will assess how much funding is raised for Israeli Palestinian Bereaved Families. We will assess conversation in the media on the topic and changes in policy.