A Letter to David

Directed By: Tom Shoval

Berlinale Special
Tom Shoval
director: Tom Shoval
producer: Alona Refua, Maya Fischer, Roy Bareket (Green Productions), Nancy Spielberg (Playmount Productions)
cinematographer: Tristan Oliver
cast: Emily Carey, Ruby Stockes. Sebastian Croft
runtime: 80min
language: Hebrew
Year of production: 2024
Countries of production: Israel
Section: Berlinale Special

A cinematic letter to David Cunio, held in Gaza since his abduction on October 7th. A decade after David starred in Tom Shoval's first film, the director blends past and present footage resulting in a visual journey.

David Cunio, who was abducted from Nir Oz to Gaza on October 7th and remains captive. David and his brother Eitan played the lead roles in Shoval's award-winning debut film, ‘Youth’, which centered around a kidnapping and depicted their strong bond. Shoval revisits that film's raw footage, unedited behind-the-scenes material, and auditions, weaving them together in a documentary that serves as both a personal letter and a multi-layered portrayal of the new reality in war-torn Kibbutz Nir Oz, where many were murdered or abducted. This affecting visual journey reflects on what was and never will be again, the cruel separation of the brothers, and the inexplicable connection between life and cinema, memory and reality. The film will not use footage from October 7th but will rely on existing materials to testify to the unimaginable.

A Letter to David

Upcoming screening

Haus der Berliner Festspiele 14/2 - 14:00