sheba film festival - when israel went out

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Between 1983-1989, thousands of 'Falasha' Jews marched nearly 200 kilometers from Gondar, Ethiopia toward the Sudanese border, in the hope of reaching Israel. These immigrants, many women, children, and elderly, suffered from starvation, dehydration and political persecution during the hard trek. Almost 2,000 died along the way. Those who lived were taken under top-secret cover to Israel, where they landed as citizens.
When Israel Went Out follows their journey, taking the camera crew and 8 Israelis on the same walk that Falasha Jews marched 25 years ago. The film explores the physical struggle of the journey as well as the emotional journey of changing an identity.
Dir. by Meni Ellias
(Israel, 78 min, 2010)