The Great Sadness of Zohara

(16mm/40 min/1983)




THE GREAT SADNESS OF ZOHARA was shot on location in Israel and North Africa. The film traces the solitary, mystical journey of a Jewish girl (Tinka Menkes), who leaves Jerusalem for Arab lands. The film was created entirely by the two sisters, who traveled alone, stayed in cheap hotels and used public transportation, completing the entire work for under $7,000. ZOHARA won awards at the San Francisco and Houston International Film Festivals and was named “One of the Decade’s Best Films” by director Allison Anders.