Documentary on Lea Tsemel, Israeli lawyer who defends Palestinians, wins Emmy
Nirit Anderman - Sep. 30, 2021- Haaretz.com
▻https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-documentary-on-lea-tsemel-israeli-lawyer-who-defends-palestinians-
The Israeli documentary film, “Advocate,” which follows noted human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel, who defends Palestinians in Israeli courts, won the award for Best Documentary on Wednesday at the 42nd Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards.
The film, directed by Rachel Leah Jones and Philippe Bellaïche and originally produced for Israel’s Hot 8, focuses on the personality of Tsemel, a human rights lawyer who represents Palestinians in Israeli courts. It was shortlisted for the Oscars in 2019. The film was also nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary category.
Following their win, the filmmakers released a statement referencing a part of the film, in which talk show host Judy Nir-Mozes tells Tsemel, “I can’t understand you at all.” To which Tsemel responds: “You should try to understand me, because…I am the future.”
“It seems the future is already here,” the filmmakers said. “The next step is to give rise to justice and equality for everyone.” (...)