Comrade Dov
החבר דב | Barak Heymann | Israel, 2019 | Hebrew/Arabic (English subtitles) | Documentary | 75m | IMDB | Distributor/Sales: Heymann Films | Festival marketing sample: Docaviv 2019 | Trailer
Description: Dov Khenin is an Israeli academic, lawyer, politician and environmental and economic equality activist. Between 2006 and 2019 he served as a member of the Knesset on behalf of the (Communist) Hadash and later (predominantly Arab) Joint List parties. For many of these years Heymann’s camera follows him. His tenure recorded over 100 major and minor legislative successes, from assistance to the blind when shopping in supermarkets, to a significant increase in the minimum wage. We witness some occasions where his efforts fail such as in preventing the eviction of indigent Givat Amal residents, the destruction of homes in the Bedouin village of Umm al Hiran and the closure of the Arad Towels factory. He acknowledges that many of the disadvantaged Jewish Israelis he supports are traditionally aligned with the right and would never vote for him.
Khenin comes across as immensely empathetic, articulate and persuasive. An advocate for a two-state solution, we see him reserved yet respectful during the singing of the Israeli and Palestinian national anthems. He engages with a settlement youth who is skeptical of the prospect of peace. He chides an ultra-Orthodox interviewer for his apparent disdain for the beliefs of non-Jews, then bowls him over by his recital of a Chabad liturgy his grandfather taught him. On his re-election to the Knesset, he is complimented by colleagues from across the political spectrum who are clearly fond of him. Stills and archival footage complement Khenin’s description of his upbringing. It’s not all politics all the time. He finds time to commune with nature during a quiet moment on a bird viewing platform and looks forward to spending Seder night with his family.
Merits: The Hebrew word for ‘comrade,’ [חבר], also means ‘friend’, probably an intended double entendre. Heymann’s affection for and friendship with his subject are evident. A Sepharadic female activist expresses her resentment at Khenin, an Ashkenazi male, leading the movement. Then, noting Heymann’s off-camera disappointment, she is touched and acknowledges “this saddens you.” With the state of Israeli politics in such sorry state and the left so demoralised, this portrait of a determined and positive fighter is both timely and inspiring. Khenin tells us that the small demonstrations are the important ones. It is the ten people who feel so aggrieved and that they don’t stand a chance that one should join, he says. While not discounting his failures and humble about his successes, Khenin urges us to follow his example and to try to make a difference.
Rating: Physical violence.