THE STORY
It’s The Hope That Kills Us – Football In The Holy Land
Picture one of the world’s most troubled hot-spots then think of a story of tragedy. Darkness is however always followed by light and if you see the light, then go through the hole. Through the lens of the sport I love, I aim to tell the story of Two Peoples on One Land with
“It’s The Hope That Kills Us”.
Imagine Israel, a segregated society where the majority Jewish population and the “Arab Sector” do not integrate but when you introduce football the landscape changes. Arab players are key components of Jewish clubs and the National Team but do not sing the National Anthem because it’s written for Jews. I tackle allegiance, patriotism and a will to succeed.
Picture Palestine, an occupied nation which uses football as a vehicle for self-determination. It is used as a way to break the restrictions imposed on it and a means to demonstrate its very existence. I tell the story of a team with three consecutive Asian cup qualifications.
Imagine that the “Two-State solution” was never actually a possibility and now the “One State” idea is all that’s left. Think of the galvanising effect a mixed team playing under one flag would have on a civic society.
Visualise South Africa where Nelson Mandella and Francois Pienaar used rugby to broker peace between the blacks and whites in the country. Look to Ireland where the North and the South play as one rugby team. See how sport bridges the cultural divide and apply this to the Holy Land.
Ayman Abu Ramouz, DOP
Emmy-award winning and internationally recognised DOP, Ayman Abu Ramouz decided "It's The Hope That Kills Us" was a vision and a message that he had to bring to life.
The Palestinian citizen of Israel, unlike many of the compatriots, can move freely in both Israel and Palestine and his fluency in both Hebrew and Arabic have allowed him to breach the divide and tell stories from an intimate and compassionate position.
From the Jews-Only settlement in Hebron to Jenin Refugee Camp to the troubled hotspot that is East Jerusalem has put himself in harm's way to capture the violence and pain of daily life in the Holy Land.
AWARDS
Luke O'Reilly, Director
I have worked in television for over 20 years with BT, Sky Sports, UEFA, Premier League Productions and beIN Sports.
I spent five years reporting and producing for the beIN Group, across major sporting events including the Olympics, the World Cup and the European Championships. I have produced, directed and written over 40 documentaries.
At LTD FILMS, we believe football touches the hearts and minds of fans worldwide.
We believe it transcends race, religion and gender and has the ability to unite people from all walks of life. It is a lens through which society can be seen and understood.
We want to shed light on stories that aren’t necessarily seen as mainstream and that
take a deeper and more serious look at the way football reflects society.
“It’s The Hope That Kills Us” is our maiden documentary. We tell the story of a country
beset with racial tension, inequality and violence. Where football transcends these issues
as a source of joy, relief and – dare we say – unity.
We have travelled the length and breadth of Palestine and Israel using high Sony FX3 and Black Magic cameras and Mavic Air 2s drone footage to capture the different landscapes and peoples. From Lake Tiberias to Haifa to the West Bank and Jerusalem, we covered the images and sounds of all walks of life.