Simone Bitton’s documentary film, “Rachel”, was screened in Tel Aviv on March 12. The director and the Corrie family were there to present the film. One of the attendees sent this summary:

The screening was well attended despite no posters or publicity at the theater itself that I saw. Simone introduced the film in Hebrew and noted that this was the first screening with Hebrew subtitles due to the efforts of both herself and the Tel Aviv Cinemateque. She said this screening was an effort to support the truth-seeking goals of the trial. The audience was moved and gave the Corries a standing ovation as they came onstage after the credits.

During the question and answer period, audience members asked the Corries what they hoped to gain from the trial, what support the US government has given them, and how they felt about Rachel going to work in a dangerous conflict zone. They answered, with their usual poise, that they sought a complete, thorough and transparent investigation into Rachel’s killing, as requested by US government officials, and that while they worried about Rachel going to work in a dangerous part of the world, they supported her seeking her own truth.

Cindy & Craig Corrie answer questions after a screening of Rachel in Tel Aviv. (March 12, 2010)

The Olympia Film Festival proudly presents the Northwest premiere of Simone Bitton’s (Wall) documentary Rachel, about Olympia native and Evergreen State College senior Rachel Corrie, who was killed in 2003 while attempting to prevent a Palestinian family’s home in the Gaza Strip from being bulldozed by the Israeli Defense Force. The film is a meticulous and rigorous investigation into the circumstances of Rachel’s death, which remains officially unresolved to this day, and features interviews with members of the International Solidarity Movement, the group with which Rachel was working at the time of her death, and current and former members of the Israeli Defense Force. In addition, the film illustrates the complexities of peace activism, through conversations both with those from whom Rachel drew inspiration and those who have made peace activism their life’s work. Howard Feinstein of ScreenDaily.com says, “Simone Bitton again proves that she is one of the finest contemporary documentarians with Rachel.”

In attendance at the screening will be many current and former Olympians who knew, loved, and worked with Rachel Corrie, including her parents. This screening will be a special event that you do not want to miss.

Click here to purchase tickets.

Trailer: