During preliminary research for the theatre production 'Persians. Triumph of Empathy', performed in Belgium and the Netherlands, director and theatre maker Chokri Ben Chikha travelled to the occupied and colonised Palestinian territories and Israel in January 2024. Together with director Jan Beddegenoodts, he made the documentary 'Looking for Empathy'.
In a context of occupation, war, genocide and manipulated truths, the film refuses to take a comfortable distance. Can you empathise with your enemy in times like these? And who is arrogant, who is hubristic? Netanyahu? Hamas? Or the filmmakers themselves, who do not shy away from taking a stand?
'Looking for Empathy' undermines the idea of neutrality and exposes the tension between engagement and overconfidence. The documentary is uncompromising and self-critical, showing how empathy does not reconcile, but rubs, chafes and becomes dangerous precisely when it is most needed.
🕗 ± 50 min
💬 Spoken in English with Dutch/English subtitles
Credits
- Director
- Chokri Ben Chikha, Jan Beddegenoodts
- Camera, editing
- Jan Beddegenoodts