CHOOSING YOU 
dir. Naama Oliven, Israel, 2024, 12 min
Two years have passed since Shosho, who is secular, and Naama, who is religious, got divorced. Their four-year-old daughter has become dependent on her pacifier, and Shosho and Naama are trying to wean her off it. But Naama understands dependence. She herself cannot wean herself from the old dream of life with Shosho.
Director Naama Oliven was born and raised in Jerusalem, and first studied media and communications at her religious girls' high school. After school she completed two years voluntary national Service in both Israel and Australia, and then became a teacher and tour guide. Naama joined the ultra-Orthodox women's extension course at Maaleh Film School in 2023. She completed her student documentary, "Choosing You," in 2024, and is at present working on her live action graduation film.
Director Statement
Engaging in art has always healed my heart and allowed me to touch the different hurts, giving them balm, healing and meaning. One day, when I’d started studying cinema (at the age of 30), I hosted a friend from school and told her my story. Together we realized that my story has something of Israeli society in it, and in all of us, who want to live in peace despite our differences. This film is about my own soul-searching but invites each and every one of us to tell ourselves the story of how we will make a new beginning.
San Diego Jewish Film Festival, Cine del Mar Film Festival
08-11-2025 14:00, Muzeum POLIN
Language: Hebrew Subtitles: polish, English
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