Click to read the entire article on SCMP
The Israeli actor will make his first visit to Hong Kong for November’s HKJFF, which features 22 films telling Jewish stories
Israeli actor Lior Raz has played his fair share of tough-guy roles.
In the action-packed Netflix series Fauda, Raz draws on his real-life experiences in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to play the protagonist, Doron Kavillio.
But lately, Raz has revealed a softer side. His emotions were laid bare in the six-part unscripted Netflix travel series, Off Road, that saw him explore not only Central Asia but also his deeper feelings.
Lior Raz (right) in a scene from Soda. Photo: Boaz Yehonathan Yaakov
Starring Raz and Israeli actress Rotem Sela, Soda focuses on a community of Holocaust survivors in 1950s Israel that is shaken by rumours that a beautiful new arrival may have been a Nazi collaborator.
The name Soda has two meanings, says Raz via video call. It refers to sparkling water – the film is set in a community that runs a soda bottling plant – and also means “her secret” in Hebrew.
Inspired by the real-life events of its director, Erez Tadmor, Soda explores themes of love, guilt, trauma and the challenges of rebuilding lives after the Holocaust.
The film Soda is inspired by the real-life experiences of its director, Erez Tadmor. Photo: HKJFF
“Like everyone who came to Israel after the Holocaust, people in this community were suffering from PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder],” Raz says. “Nobody called it that back then, but that is what it was.”
It is a subject Raz is familiar with – the actor has spoken openly about suffering from PTSD as a result of his intense compulsory military service in an Israeli special forces unit.
It was writing – Raz has co-created several shows, most notably Fauda with Avi Issacharoff – that played a big role in his healing process.
“I started to write, and through my writing and acting, I actually released myself from my PTSD. I got healed.”
Raz will make his first visit to Hong Kong for this year’s HKJFF. Sela and Tadmor will also attend as guests.
The festival, which is now in its 26th year, will this year showcase 22 films that tell Jewish stories in genres including documentaries, dramas and comedies.
It will also have special meaning in light of the death in July of HKJFF founder Howard Elias.
Elias was driven by a deep passion for cinema – especially Jewish-themed films – and was determined to share that love with the Hong Kong public, using film to entertain and educate, says HKJFF chairman Eli Bitan.
“When Howard stepped aside from the HKJFF in 2012, our board committed to carrying forward his vision, with him remaining a strong supporter of the festival,” he says.
“In recognition of his enduring impact, we are proud to name our best feature film honour the Howard Elias Award.”