Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus: Conclusion
Aside from directing and producing their own documentary films, Katzir and Markus have worked on many other films, with topics ranging from Judaism to Israel to California politics. For example, in collaboration with Katzir’s mother, Yael Katzir, they released a movie entitled Praying in Her Own Voice¸ which covers women’s struggle to pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel, which is Judaism’s most holy spot. In producing this film, Katzir and Markus show that, although they immigrated to the United States, they retain their Israeli identity, and are transnational artists. Currently, Katzir and Markus are making a documentary film entitled Legalize It, which traces marijuana legalization in the state of California from 2010 to present. This will be a film that follows California politics via personal stories.
By looking at their documentaries made in Israel and comparing them with their works made after immigrating to the United States, one can clearly see that the topics that Katzir and Markus document are heavily based on their environment. Out for Love, Be Back Shortly, made before immigrating to the United States, is a decidedly Israeli film which focuses on Israeli politics and the struggle for peace. After their relatively easy immigration to the United States and the establishment of New Love Films, Katzir and Markus made Yiddish Theater: A Love Story. This film retains stylistic aspects of Out for Love, Be Back Shortly, such as using personal stories to show a larger theme, but the main topic is Yiddish Theater in New York City, and it utilizes Jewish motifs, such as Hanukah. While still in development, their most recent documentary, Legalize It, is entirely Californian and is not related to either Israel or Judaism. While their environment has shaped their filmmaking, they continue to maintain deep ties to Israel, producing films such as Praying in Her Own Voice. In doing so, Katzir and Markus maintain their transnational identity between Israel and the United States. Indeed, regardless of the country that they find themselves in, Katzir and Markus have created art that has been influenced by their environment.