Watermarks
A film by Yaron Zilberman

Produced by Yofi Films, Jetlag Productions, Zadig Productions, Cinephil
Co Produced with ARTE G.E.I.E., ORF In association with HBO Cinemax

Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, in partnership with Temple Bar Properties, will screen the Irish Premiere of 'Watermarks' a new documentary directed and produced by Yaron Zilberman, in a once-off public viewing not to be missed. 'Watermarks' uncovers the remarkable story of the champion women swimmers of the Jewish sports club Hakoah Vienna in the 1930's. Zilberman's carefully crafted film is a celebration of achievement and resilience. It takes the form of conversations with the remarkable women of the Hakoah club intercut with archive footage, newsreels and images raided from dusty family albums.

'Hakoah, meaning 'strength' in Hebrew, was founded in 1909 in response to the "Aryan clause" , an Austrian law forbidding organisations to accept Jews as members. Rapidly growing into one of Europe's biggest athletic clubs, Hakoah's greatest triumphs came in the 1930's from its women swimmers, who dominated national competitions in Austria. After the Anschluss in 1938 the club was shut down but the swimmers all managed to flee the country before the war broke-out, due to a Hakoah rescue operation.

Sixty-five years later director Yaron Zilberman makes his way to New Jersey, New York, Los Angeles, London and Israel to meet eight of the thirteen surviving members in their homes around the world. The film meets its climax when Zilberman arranges a reunion for the women in their old swimming pool in Vienna, an uneasy journey that evokes memories of youth and femininity while celebrating life-long bonds. As the women's stories unfold in tones of wonderment 'Watermarks' emerges as an encouraging reflection on the distance between youth and old age. The film emanating from their stories offers a fresh, intimate Jewish response to 20th century European anti-Semitism.

"Zilberman's carefully crafted film is, in part, a celebration of resilience - his own tribute, among many, to a generation of Jews that were forced to reshape their lives and remake themselves." Paul Laity, Guardian Friday Review, March 18, '05.

77 minutes, Hebrew/English/German, English subtitles

Best Cinematography - Jerusalem Film Festival, 2004
Best Documentary nomination - Israeli Academy Awards
Special Mention-Viennale, Vienna International Film Festival
Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature - Palm Springs International Film Festival, Audience Award-Boston JFF, Audience Award-Washington JFF
Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
#2 Audience Award - Hot Docs
Grand Prix - Kiev International Film Festival

END NOTE:

'Watermarks' is a parallel event to Temple Bar Gallery and Studios summer exhibition 'Bathers', 29th June - 23rd July and made possible with the Support of the Embassy of Israel and Cinephil Distribution & Co-Productions, Israel.

The screening is a free, open-square, once-off event that is open to the public. Pre-booking is not required. For further information please contact Claire Power or Noel Kelly at Temple Bar Gallery and Studios t. 671 0073 or email info@templebargallery.com