Producers Udi Kalinsky and Danny Hakim talk about how they met Shadya, karate and whether or not it’s possible to “have it all.”
What led you to make SHADYA?
Udi Kalinsky: I'm a film producer who deals with social and political issues through documentaries. My main concern with documentaries is to tell stories that the average viewer can't get any access to…. I believe that my duty as a film producer is to enter the almost totally locked gates of TV today and give the viewer a program that will affect him other than regular TV does.
Danny Hakim: I was born in Australia and lived most of my life there. My parents are Jewish and were born in Egypt. My father’s family is from Safed, a small spiritual town in Israel and my mother's family is originally from Odessa. Being educated in multi-cultural Australia, I made many friends from different nationalities and religions and I represented Australia in many karate competitions with many migrant Australians. This enabled me to believe in the possibility of people living in harmony and led me to go to Israel to make the film. I originally made the film to show how children from areas in conflict can become friends through a sport and philosophy like karate.
How did you meet Shadya?
Danny Hakim: In 2002, I attended classes at Tel Aviv University to receive a national certificate for karate teaching in Israel. In this class I met Shadya and as my Hebrew language skills were poor at the time, she helped me with my Hebrew and in exchange I coached her in karate.
What do Shadya and her family think of the film?
Danny Hakim: At first Shadya did not like the film as she did not want her village to see that there were problems in her family. However she did want to show the world what type of woman she is. Both times when Shadya was interviewed for TV she made a stirring speech encouraging all women to pursue their dreams. So for her, the film has helped her make a statement. Her father loves the film. Her husband likes the film because he loves to see Shadya. Her brothers do not like the film but also don't mind it because they make their statement on how they see things too.
What were some of the challenges in making your film?
Udi Kalinsky and Danny Hakim: The challenges and obstacles of working within a traditional Muslim society is the freedom to portray life as it is. It takes time to develop the trust within this usually closed society. The opportunity to document Arab society and its changes is easier in Israel as many of the younger generation are attracted to modernity, which is freely available to them.
Tell us more about how you worked with the Israeli Arab community in filming SHADYA.
Udi Kalinsky: There is a lot of sensitivity between the Jews and the Arabs in Israel…. We had to take all this into consideration while filming with an Arab family for two years. We had to be very sensitive to theirs fears, hesitations, confusions…. We had to move carefully between our need to expose realities and the strict tradition of the Arab community that deals a lot with respect and keeps women well secured behind the curtain. There is no doubt that without the braveness of Shadya and her father—both of them are very outstanding persons—allowing us to enter their world, making this film would not be possible.
Danny Hakim: I migrated to Israel from Australia in 2001 and knew very little about the Israeli Arab community at that time. I was able to gain respect in the Israeli Arab community as an international karate instructor and as an Anglo foreigner. Shadya's family was open to me as I was able to prove to her father that I could take care of her and coach her to be a world champion. As you can see in the film each member of the family has different ways to cope with being an Arab Israeli citizen.
One of the most suspenseful moments in the film is when the Israeli karate team meets the Palestinian karate team in South Africa. Do you think that competitive sports can transcend politics? What was happening as you were filming that moment?
Danny Hakim: Competitive sports can transcend politics if you have the basis and will to respect the other person. The original script of the film was to film Israeli and Palestinian children doing karate together using the virtues of karate—respect, self-control and harmony. This was actually agreed upon by myself (the Israeli coach) and Khalil (the Palestinian coach). However, the Palestinian coach changed his mind and when Shadya was upset by the way the Palestinians did not want to accept her, the direction of the film changed to documenting Shadya. There was one incident where Shadya had such an identity crisis (in being Arab and Israeli) that she sat with the Japanese team.
How popular is karate in Israel among young women and young Muslim women specifically?
Danny Hakim: Karate is very popular among young women and particularly Muslim girls. They do not have many other hobbies to choose from and karate is a cheap sport with little equipment.
Some viewers may see Shadya’s marriage as a threat to her dreams and
goals? Do you think that this a fair assessment? Can she “have it all?”
Danny Hakim: The film does show this, and with most Muslim women this is the case. However, in reality Shadya has proven to be a stronger character than her husband and she is training again hoping to represent Israel again. Can she have it all? We will see! It is very difficult, if not impossible to have it all, in Shadya's community. It is hard enough in our society too!
Udi Kalinsky: She CAN have it all. Now, after having her baby, Shadya has returned to karate and according to her coach she is even better then before! Regarding it being a fair assessment: Getting married is Shadya's decision. The film is not aiming to judge her or her decisions. Shadya is brave and wise enough to make her decisions and we have no reason to criticize her or to feel sorry for her decisions. Maybe she is wrong but one does not have to be a 17-year-old Muslim girl in order to be wrong.…
Why did you choose to present your film on public television?
Danny Hakim: The social and cultural issues that are presented in the film are thought-provoking, educational and universal. Questioning one’s identity and a woman’s struggle to achieve her ambition against the dictates of traditional customs are things that the majority of women in the U.S. can relate to. We though that public television would be the right audience to appreciate the film.
What are your three favorite films?
Danny Hakim: West Side Story, West Side Story, West Side Story.
What didn’t you get done when you were making your film?
Danny Hakim: There were scenes of Shadya training with other Israeli female karate competitors on the team. One was an Israeli soldier her age and another is a Zionist settler from the West Bank. I wanted to film more about these teammates and their relationship with Shadya.
If you could have dinner with one famous person, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
Danny Hakim: Moses. I would ask him how he received the 10 commandments and if he really believed that he led the Jewish people to freedom.
What sparks your creativity?
Danny Hakim: Being alive, feeling different to most people and learning from children (I have a three-month-old and a one-and-a-half-year-old girl).
What do you think is the most inspirational food for making independent film?
Danny Hakim: Guava juice and artichokes (taken separately).
Is there anything else you’d like to share regarding SHADYA?
Danny Hakim: I want everyone to know that Shadi (Shadya’s brother) and his wife just had triplets… and they were all girls! What goes around comes around!
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