An Interview with Emile Bokaer | 2024 JFI Filmmaker in Residence
The Jewish Film Institute is proud to feature 2024 Filmmaker in Residence Emile Bokaer and his project We Play Cinema as our latest JFI Resident Spotlight. Read on for an exclusive JFI interview with Bokaer about the story behind the project!
About the Film: We Play Cinema is a multi-generational documentary self-portrait by Emile Bokaer, created in collaboration with his father Tsvi Bokaer. Blending contemporary observational footage with Tsvi’s long-lost 1960s 16mm films, son and father place past and present in direct conversation, to illuminate the lasting truth: cinema is as essential as life itself.
Jewish Film Institute: What inspired you to make this film?
Emile Bokaer: In 2009 I directed SON OF MACISTA, also featuring my father Tsvi. Through that project I learned that Tsvi has incredible screen presence and a great narrative instinct. I was in my mid-20s then, and must have already understood this about my father on some level — however, experiencing SON OF MACISTA as a kind of screen test, helped me understand that Tsvi really is the ultimate “documentary character,” for me personally. This realization combined with the understanding that Tsvi loves film as much as life itself, inspired me to make WE PLAY CINEMA. Making this film became imperative.
JFI: Where are you now in the filmmaking process?
Bokaer: I am in post production after completing 7+ years of principal photography, documenting gradual changes in my father and myself. Over the course of these years I have also received and digitized prints of several never-before-seen films directed by Tsvi decades ago — and I am combining these films with my own personal documentary cinematography, creating a kind of onscreen duet. On top of this, I’m determined to edit this film myself — so, I need to partner with a creative producer in order to stay on track. Editing will be difficult, and I expect to grow from this experience.
JFI: How is the JFI Filmmaker Residency helping you develop your project?
Bokaer: The JFI Filmmaker Residency helps me in so many ways. Top of mind is my cohort: Jeremy, Amanda, Emma, Hervé, Udi and Bornstein. This group has become a film-family, and my connection with each of these filmmakers gives me strength, confidence, and a shared sense of purpose. Marcia Jarmel, Director of Filmmaker Services with JFI, has provided assignments that meet me exactly where I’m at, and guide me to take the precise steps forward. The workshops with mentors across industry are amazing, and convening at SFJFF was wonderful. The entire JFI team is fantastic — true professionals. I feel very fortunate.
JFI: How does this story add to our collective understanding of Jewish life, culture, history or identity?
Bokaer: WE PLAY CINEMA is a family project, and we in my family are Sephardic Jews from Tunisia. I can count on two hands the number of fellow Tunisians I’ve met, and count on one hand the fellow Tunisian Jews I’ve met, who are not immediate family members. The first words I heard when I was born were “Ya Ou’ladee” — “my son,” in Tunisian Judeo-Arabic. WE PLAY CINEMA is full of this kind of language and culture, and sharing our language and culture more broadly through this cinema project, feels important. I hope this will be meaningful for audiences as well.
JFI: If you could screen your film as a double feature with any film, what movie would you choose and why?
Bokaer: I have two answers — assuming audiences can still watch two features together! The first is L’ATALANTE (1934) by Jean Vigo. My parents went to see this for their one-day honeymoon in Manhattan, and it’s a dream of a film that carries a lot of personal meaning for me. The second I saw recently: THE FALL (2006) by Tarsem. It elegantly telescopes a century of cinema, through its opening and closing ‘bookend’ scenes: the same silent-film stunt in its original ‘primitive’ form closes the film, after the same scenario in full-fledged super slow mo 35mm glory, opened the story. It’s brilliant.
About the Filmmaker: Emile Bokaer is a documentary filmmaker. His recent work as a producer includes A Field Guide to Coastal Fortifications (World Premiere IFF Rotterdam 2023, Winner Best Film Award BelDocs 2023), and The Street Network, a Stripe Press short film. His previous films have shown internationally, including at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, DocPoint Helsinki, and the Media That Matters Film Festival. Emile has worked in key roles on several other award-winning films and series including The F Word (ITVS Indie Lens Storycast 2018, LA Film Festival 2018, Gotham Awards Nominee 2018), True Conviction (Tribeca Film Festival 2017, Independent Lens broadcast, Nonfiction Vanguard Award San Francisco Independent Documentary Festival), True Son (Tribeca Film Festival 2014) and INFORMANT (IDFA; Winner Grand Jury Prize DOC NYC 2012). He owns and operates the San Francisco production company Dogpatch Films, and is a graduate of Stanford University’s MFA Program in Documentary Film & Video. He lives and works in Oakland, CA.
About the JFI Filmmakers in Residence Program: The JFI Filmmakers in Residence Program is a year-long artist residency that provides creative, marketing, and production support for emerging and established filmmakers whose documentary projects explore and expand thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture, and identity.
