By Maria Esteves – April 28, 2013

Hilla Medalia (HM) is an Award winning producer and director. Her documentary shorts and features have received numerous awards. In 2004, Daughters of Abraham received the Angelus Award for best documentary short. In 2005, 39 Pounds Of Love received the Ofhir Award (Israeli Academy of Film & Television) and an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Short. Her film John Foppe received the Regional Emmy Award for best Documentary Short.

In 2007, Medalia’s first documentary feature To Die In Jerusalem won four awards (George Foster Peabody, Fipa Biarritz, Jerusalem Film Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival), and three Emmy Award nominations. In 2009, After The Storm, won two awards (Woodstock Film Festival, Heartland Film Festival).

Medalia's latest documentary DANCING IN JAFFA world premiere was held at the 12th Tribeca Film Festival 2013 (TFF 2013) in New York. A special Q&A session immediately followed with director Medalia, producer Diane Nabatoff, American Ballroom Theater co-founders Pierre Dulaine, and Yvonne Marceau. I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Award-winning documentarian Hilla Medalia during TFF 2013 on Friday, April 27, 12:15 P.M.

ME: I understand Jaffa (Yafo), Israel is the world’s ancient port city. What inspired the making of the documentary DANCING IN JAFFA?

HM: Our producer Diane Nabatoff made a feature film “Take The Lead” starring Antonio Banderas about the life story of Pierre Dulaine, a famous ballroom dancer and instructor. In 1944, Pierre was born in Jaffa, Israel, to a Palestinian mother and to a father who was a British Mandate for Palestine. His dream was to return to Jaffa to make a documentary. Pierre contacted Diane and she in turn contacted me.

ME: How did you meet Pierre Dulaine?

HM: I met with Pierre about three years ago and was inspired to proceed with the making of the documentary. At first, I was unsure because of the political tension in Jaffa, Israel. I realized after meeting with Pierre, if anyone could actually do it, it would be him. I believe the only way to end occupation and to make an area of change is to get to know and understand each other. Pierre always said, “You have to start with the children if you want to make a change.”

ME: How long did it take to make the film?

HM: We started in 2011. It took approximately two years to make the documentary.

ME: The four thousand years old, Jaffa port have been renovated for tourist attraction. What were the challenges in making the film?

HM: Pierre’s main challenge to overcome was the tension between the two communities Palestinian-Israelis and Jewish-Israelis. Pierre’s Dancing Classrooms program originated in the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE). Pierre who speaks Arabic knew the Palestinian-Israelis are conservative. The traditional Muslim culture, don’t dance together not even in weddings.

The schools convinced the parents to get their kids to participate and dance together. With time, Pierre gained the trust of the Palestinian-Israelis and Christians. The issues presented in the film are making an impact globally from prejudice to discrimination and racism. The only difference is the political context within Jaffa that you might not have in the Bronx, New York.

Pierre’s program teaches important values and social skills. When you dance with someone, you learn to feel confident about yourself, you learn to trust the other person, and you learn to work together. It was amazing to see these kids become close friends within the program. It also helped them in their studies. In the case with Noor, she developed better study habits and social skills. She felt good about herself, began to trust other people, and found a father figure in Pierre.

ME: What has been the audience reaction?

HM: The audience reaction of our world premiere at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival was amazing! I was moved with tears of joy to see in the audience a group of NYCDOE students and their teachers from the Bronx who participated in Pierre’s Dancing Classroom program.

ME: Where will DANCING IN JAFFA screen next?

HM: The film will premiere at the 15th Docaviv International Film Festival Opening Night, Thursday, May 2, 2013. The cast will be in attendance.

ME: Any interest from film distributors?

HM: We have two offers for distribution. We have a theatrical release in Israel end of May 2013.

ME: What films have you directed?

HM: In 2009, I directed After the Storm, and in 2007, To Die In Jerusalem.

ME: What awards have you been honored?

HM: “To Die In Jerusalem” received the George Foster Peabody Award; the Jury Awards at Fipa Biarritz, Jerusalem Film Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival; and three Emmy Award nominations. “After the Storm” received the Audience Award at Woodstock Film Festival, and the Crystal Heart Award at Heartland Film Festival.

ME: Any new projects soon to follow?

HM: My next documentary “Caught In The Net” is about Internet addiction in China. We are in the editing process.

Thank you, Hilla.

For more information, please visit: http://www.knowproductions.net.