(haipo) Film students at Haifa's Municipal High School are currently taking part in a moving and unique memorial project in memory of the late Dan Mauri, a reserve soldier who was killed in Lebanon during the "Iron Swords" war. His life story, his love of creativity, and his unfulfilled dream are being transformed into a documentary film created by the students, combining memory, action, and hope.
Dream on four wheels
The late Dan Mauri had an extraordinary dream: to assemble a 1981 Peugeot 104 from scrap metal. He began collecting parts and working on the project, but never got to complete the task. His death left behind a wife, two children, and a pile of scrap metal left in his parents' home in the town of Nofit, tangible evidence of a dream that was cut short.
From scrap metal to a running car
Those who volunteered to complete the dream were David Lewinsky, An engineer heard about the story and decided to take action. He recruited other friends, including a garage owner from Ospia, and together they managed to complete the construction of the car. Last Friday, all the project partners were invited to Dan's parents' house in Nofit, where the Peugeot was presented ready and ready to go, an exciting moment of closing a circle.
The Documentation: Cinema of Memory
The film department team at Ironi H. was present at the event and documented the event as part of the documentary. The student team included:
Guy Barzani – Producer,
Itay Weingarten – Editor,
Elad Pobolatsky – Director,
And Uri Bernstein – photographer.
The process was accompanied by the program coordinator, Moshiko Hekman, the director of the upper division, Wadi Ben Aharon, and the program teachers.
Education through creativity
School principal, Itzik Shalem Kaminsky, said: “The film students continue, in this film, to commemorate those who fell in the war that began on October 7, 2023, to tell their stories and keep them in the hearts and memories of all of us. We feel a deep commitment to dealing with the issue and appreciate the families of the fallen who choose to tell their stories through us.”
Urban pride
Mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, welcomed the initiative: “The story of the late Dan Mauri is a story of a dream, creativity and love of life. The choice to immortalize him through documentary film is an educational and ethical act of the highest order. Haifa is proud of the students and education teams who show how memory becomes meaning.”
Ilana Truk, Head of the Municipality's Education AdministrationShe added: “This is an example of values education at its best: a connection between creativity, social responsibility and memory. Such initiatives allow the life stories of the fallen to continue to pulse even after the loss.”
From the Carmel – to the international stage
Later this month, three additional documentaries from the film major at Irouni H, dealing with pain and loss, will be screened at the International Jewish Film Festival in Miami, Florida. After the screenings, school representatives will participate in an open discussion with the audience.
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