Florida producers’ film about Menachem Begin screens free online at Miami fest
“Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin,” a film produced by two Florida residents, screens for free online during the 2021 Miami Jewish Film Festival.
Though neither Orlando philanthropist and attorney Bruce Gould nor Barry Gurland (founder of Madison Family Office Services in Miami) had prior filmmaking experience, both were captivated by Begin’s story. They were approached by “Upheaval” executive director Rob Schwartz, who decided to make a film about the former Israeli prime minister after reading “The Prime Ministers” by Yehuda Abner.
“Rob is … not only an awesome person but an awesome salesperson,” Gould said. “He really had a vision and he sold me on the idea that he was not only looking for people to help back the project financially, but he also was looking for people that believed in his vision and understood the importance of making a documentary on Menachem Begin’s life.”
The film examines Begin’s life and legacy, from his imprisonment in Siberia to his controversial actions in the fight for Israeli independence, election as Israel’s sixth prime minister and peace agreement with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. It explores Begin’s vision of Israel as a welcoming, diverse community that accepts all cultures and races.
“It comes through in the movie very clearly that he respected the diversity of all human beings,” Gould said.
The documentary’s director, Jonathan Gruber, added that Begin made it possible for multiple cultures — including Jews from the Middle East and North Africa as well as Israeli Arabs and Vietnamese boat people — to coexist in Israel.
“Upheaval” portrays Begin as a leader who “had the courage of his convictions,” Gruber said.
“He was a person who led for better or for worse and lived with the consequences of those decisions,” said the 52-year-old Silver Spring, Maryland, resident. “I think leaders today really could do well to learn from a person who not only stuck to his guns and lived with the consequences of those decisions but also did not enrich himself through his position. He was a deeply moral and deeply humble man.”
Those familiar with Begin’s story will still find a few surprises.
“There’s a wealth of things that people who even know the history of Israel and know Menachem Begin will learn from this and how it relates to our world today,” said Gruber. “A lot of what Menachem Begin stood for was fighting for Jews and that meant fighting against anti-Semitism, which unfortunately continues ... and it’s only growing, especially in this country with the terrible things that have happened over the last few years.”
“Upheaval” is the first English-language film about Begin, but it aims to be more than just a one-time viewing.
“We’re hoping that this is just not something that will air once or twice on a network but will be used as a tool for generations to come to teach future generations what a leader is,” Gould said.
Filming began in September 2019 in Israel and the project wrapped in October 2020, in time for its premiere at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis.
Now the documentary makes its Florida premiere at the Miami Jewish Film Festival, which is available April 15-29 online at miamijewishfilmfestival.org. Gould said the timing of the Sunshine State screening coincides with some significant holidays: Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah) was recently celebrated on April 8, Israel Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) was observed April 13-14 and Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut) takes place April 14-15.
“It just is fortuitous, but it’s great that it happens to be debuting in the Miami Jewish Film Festival around such a special time in Israel,” he said.
To watch “Upheaval” for free virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic is a “tremendous opportunity” for Floridians, Gould said.
“Even though we’d love it to be at a film festival where ... there could be hundreds of people in that theater and you could get a live response to what they’re seeing,” the 60-year-old Orlando resident said, “I
think the good side about this is it’s going to be seen by a lot more people than just 200-300 people in the theater.”
Find out more about “Upheaval” — including information about a live North American premiere June 7, a virtual cinemas release June 9 and public television airings later this year or early 2022 — at upheavalfilm.com or
facebook.com/upheaval. thejourneyofmenachembegin.