Mourning in Lod, the timely new documentary from MTV Documentary Films and Paramount+, takes a look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through Musa, Yigal, and Randa — three people in the Israeli city of Lod, where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side, whose fates become inextricably linked in a vicious cycle of violence.

Release Date

Directed by Hilla Medalia, Mourning in Lod opens in Theaters in NY & LA on Friday, April 19 and premieres Friday, May 17 on Paramount+ .

Synopsis

Medalia’s powerfully resonant film follows the fates of three Israeli and Palestinian families intertwined by an intense cycle of violence in the “mixed” Arab-Jewish city of Lod. In depicting the complex mixture of anger, grief, love and forgiveness that unfolds, the film both gives voice to the pain and loss of victims of the conflict and dares to imagine a brighter dawn for the region, founded in reconciliation and hope.

“At a time when the world cries for peace, Hilla Medalia’s film pleads for reconciliation through a timeless and true story of murder, revenge, and merciful forgiveness.” – executive producer Sheila Nevins.

“I finished Mourning in Lod six months before the current war began. At the time, it felt like we were documenting what was the worst of the Israel/Palestine crisis in the past twenty years. But looking back now, I realize that the writing was on the wall. Because things that go untreated and are never dealt with only get worse. The last months have been painful. Among the thousands of Israelis and tens of thousands of Palestinians who lost their lives, we lost the sound designer of Mourning in Lod, Lior Weitzman, who was murdered by Hamas on Oct. 7. At my lowest moments, when I feel hopeless, I go back to a short video conversation recorded 18 months after the husbands of the women in the film were murdered. We!re now sharing this conversation with many audiences after they watch the film. Part postscript, part impact statement, this was a discussion about how in the wake of their collective loss, Ira and Marwa are able to stay strong and model “life” for their children and, most importantly, imagine and conceive of their future – without hate or violence at the center. Their husbands, Musa and Yigal, both shared the belief that peace and coexistence were the only way forward. And now it’s theirs. “Yes. We should at least follow in their footsteps. If Musa could tell me one thing now he’d say: Marwa, keep living as I lived. Don’t get involved in all the politics, hatred and racism. People will hear what we’re saying: we want it to be a joy to live in this world.” I hold onto these words for dear life. I look at them when I am lost as if they are a compass for sanity – political, personal and professional.” – director Hilla Medalia

Official Trailer

Watch the official trailer for Mourning in Lod