The upcoming feature film Song Of Songs boasts an impressive cast, including Succession actor Ashley Zukerman, and is set to be exec-produced by the acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur. Directed by Anita Lester, this identity drama has been developed with the support of Screen Australia and is being sold by LevelK. The film is part of a new fund for Jewish Australian features, spearheaded by producer Jamie Bialkower of Jump Street Films.
The fund aims to finance stories that showcase Jewish Australians on screen, created by Jewish Australian talent with a focus on authenticity and visibility. Bialkower emphasizes the necessity of such a fund due to the lack of support for Jewish narratives in Australia and the representation of Jewish stories in the media. The fund seeks to counter antisemitism through meaningful storytelling and aims to provide opportunities for Jewish Australian creatives at all levels of production.
Jump Street Films is actively seeking entries from both emerging and established creators, with plans for the funding capacity to grow in the future. The company also aims to provide more opportunities for female directors in the industry. Alongside Song of Songs, Jump Street Films is collaborating with a diverse range of directors on various projects, showcasing their commitment to promoting talent from different backgrounds.
In addition to Song of Songs, the fund will also support two other projects: Shoshanna and The White Pigeon. Shoshanna follows a Hasidic woman as she navigates her evolving desires, while The White Pigeon delves into the world of Australian painter Lola Cohen as she embarks on a journey to Israel. These films promise to bring forth compelling narratives and explore themes of identity, love, and artistic expression.
Song of Songs features an all-Jewish cast with Ashley Zukerman in a leading role, backed by the expertise of executive producer Shekhar Kapur. The film is set to provide a platform for talented Israeli actors Yael Abecassis and Shlomi Elkabetz in Shoshanna. The White Pigeon will showcase the creative collaboration between Australian and American talent, highlighting the power of art to transcend cultural boundaries.
Song of Songs and the accompanying film projects supported by the new fund for Jewish Australian features signal a positive shift towards greater diversity and inclusion in the film industry. By providing a platform for underrepresented voices and promoting authentic storytelling, these films have the potential to resonate with audiences on a global scale. As the industry continues to evolve, initiatives like this fund are crucial in ensuring that a wide range of perspectives are represented on screen.