Controversial film on Rabin’s killer screened in Jerusalem

A controversial film based on the life of Yigal Amir, the assassin of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, was screened in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, with tickets to the two showings sold out.

“Beyond the Fear,” an Israeli-Russian-Latvian co-production that humanizes Amir, was the subject of much controversy last month after Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev threatened to pull the Jerusalem International Film Festival’s government funding over its inclusion in the program. Organizers reached an agreement with Regev, under which the film would not be officially listed as part of the July festival but would remain eligible for awards.

According to Channel 2, “Beyond the Fear” was shown Wednesday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., a day before the film festival officially kicks off, with tickets to both showings sold out.

Amir’s wife and relatives had reportedly considered attending but did not do so.

The documentary depicts the development of Amir’s relationship with Larissa Trimbobler (the couple married in prison a decade ago) and the bedtime stories he shares with their son over the phone.

Last month, Regev issued an ultimatum to the festival organizers, warning them not to screen the film for the public or the Culture Ministry would withdraw its financial support. She said later she was gratified by the organizers’ decision.

“I welcome the decision of the festival management to accept my suggestion not to screen the film about Yigal Amir during the festival. With that, I urge the public to stay away from watching the film even when it’s screened outside the festival,” she said.

The film was created by Latvian-Israeli director Herz Frank, who died during its production. It was completed by his wife, Maria Kravchenko. According to the description on the Canadian film festival’s website, the film “pushes past the sensational headlines to probe the human motivations behind the ultimate act of sin. Frank’s final film is an achievement in storytelling that shows not only one man’s capacity for good and evil, but mankind’s.”

Rabin was shot dead on November 4, 1995, by Amir, at the end of a mass peace rally in Tel Aviv. The square where the rally was held was renamed “Rabin Square” following the assassination.

Amir, now 45, is serving a life sentence for the murder and remains in solitary confinement.