Jerusalem Film Festival 2010: 77 Steps

It’s a story of love in the city, and the city is Tel Aviv. Far away from home and family, chasing dreams on the gritty pavements, walking up endless flights of stairs, looking out from dilapidated balconies into the brilliant white Mediterranean sun, surrounded by crowds, looking for a friend, a job, an apartment, creating a life.  At night the colors of the city come alive, there’s a party on the roof, the music is right and they meet.

“77 Steps” by Ibtisam Salh Mara’ana was screened on Friday, July 9th at the 27th Jerusalem Film Festival. In this film, Mara’ana, who was present at the screening, documents her experiences moving from the Arab-Muslim village in the north where she grew up, to Tel Aviv. Her story becomes intertwined with that of her Jewish-Canadian neighbor Jonathan, and the love they share.

All the markers of the Tel Aviv urban scene are present, including Ibtisam’s feelings of “alienation and rejection.” Like many other urban migrants, drawn to the action and opportunities of the city, she says, “I want to belong this place.” Yet as a Muslim woman in Israel, what does “belonging” mean? Does it mean becoming like everyone else around her – buying a bicycle, walking her dog? Does it mean feeling free to express her own identity and find her own path?

Every simple act becomes a conscious choice, even answering the simple question: “What is your name?” The identity markers of urban culture are universal. Ibtisam looks and sounds like any other young, beautiful professional in jeans…until she says her name. 

The relationship between Ibtisam and Jonathan follows the trajectory of contemporary urban love: they meet, post cute pictures on facebook, leave the city to go on holiday, where they take some more cute photos, cook dinner in tiny kitchens and march in demonstrations together. There is something courageous and life-affirming about these familiar scenes, because none of it can be taken for granted. This is not just any couple – it is an Arab-Jewish couple in Israel. 

Fast-paced, vibrant and full of color as the city in which it takes place, “77 Steps” is a film that explores questions of identity and relationships with intelligence, honesty and sensitivity. Avoiding clichés and slogans, Mara’ana does not present a poster couple in the service of a political message. Introspective, honest and funny, the film is not afraid to let each voice be heard along this journey, even when the words are painful for speaker and listener.

 
77 Steps
Ibtisam Mara’ana
Israel/Palestine 2010, 56 minutes, Hebrew/English/Arabic with Hebrew/English subtitles
The film is competing in the Israeli Film Competition – Documentary Films category of the 27th Jerusalem Film Festival 2010.

AYELET DEKEL