Coming in May
The Wanted 18
Sunday May 30, 12:30 pm Eastern Time
You must register in advance to join the online screening of The Wanted 18.
About The Wanted 18
Directed by Amer Shomali, Paul Cowan. | Feature | 75 min. | 2014 - Palestine, Canada, France
Discover the animated true story of a group of Israeli cows transported to Palestine during the First Intifada in the West Bank. The cows at the centre of this multimedia interactive app were purchased by a group of Palestinian activists in 1987 with the goal of creating a self-sufficient supply of milk for their community.
Our bovine protagonists now come to life in dynamic comic book style as multi-faceted, diverse characters in The Wanted 18. Each cow exhibits a distinct personality and perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, granting viewers an alternately poignant, thought-provoking, humorous, and inspiring profile of grassroots activism and peaceful resistance in a part of the world that is fraught with negative imagery and despair.
Critic reviews
Highlighting the ridiculous without losing track of the seriousness of all acts of resistance, the film should open minds. Full review
Jay Weissberg, Variety
At its best, “The Wanted 18” follows a worthy tradition of highlighting absurdities that arise during conflict. Full review
Ken Jaworowski, The NYTimes
Paul Cowan
In his 40-year career as a filmmaker, Paul Cowan has never been one to shy away from controversy. He’s chronicled the rise and fall of renegade billionaire Robert Campeau (Double or Nothing), followed Dr. Henry Morgentaler on his controversial abortion crusade (Democracy on Trial), dramatized Donald Marshall’s landmark battle against Nova Scotia’s justice system (Justice Denied), and stirred up a storm of debate in the Canadian Senate with a hotly-contested docudrama about First World War flying ace Billy Bishop (The Kid Who Couldn't Miss). He has been nominated for an Academy Award (Going the Distance) and won a Genie for best Canadian documentary (Westray).
His strength is creative documentaries that combine documentary techniques with evocative images and recreations. Paul recently wrote and directed the feature documentary Paris 1919.
Shir Hever
Dr. Shir Hever is an independent economic researcher and journalist. He writes articles and research for various venues and gives lectures in political and academic venues. Hever's research topics include the economic aspect of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory, the international aid to the Palestinians and to Israel, the effects of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories on the Israeli economy, the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaigns against Israel and the Israeli arms trade and security sector. He is currently living in Germany, and is a graduate of the Freie Universität in Berlin. He is a board member of the organization Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East. His second book: The Privatization of Israeli Security, was published by Pluto Press in 2017.