My So-Called Enemy

"My So-Called Enemy" had its world premiere at Silverdocs in June 2010 and is currently screening at film festivals around the country. 

Lisa Gossels’ award-winning feature-length documentary "My So-Called Enemy" highlight's 6 Building Bridges for Peace alumna, beginning with their July 2002 summer experience. The film poignantly explores how the experience of knowing their "enemies" as human beings meets with the realities of their lives at home over the next 7 years.

“My So-Called Enemy”  Trailer

In the words of the Director Lisa Gossels,

“While ‘My So Called Enemy’ speaks to the humanity and complexities of the

Israeli/Palestinian conflict in every frame, it is also a coming of age story that transcends the conflict. It’s about the power of individual narratives to open hearts and minds, challenge long-held pre-conceptions, and create the space for dialogue, with the goal of creating more just societies here and abroad.” 

The 2002 BBfP summer program featured in “My So Called Enemy” was unique in several ways:

1. •Since the program’s inception in 1994, Americans have been included.  In 2002, in response to the second Intifada (Palestinian uprising) and the break down of peace talks, we chose to convene a smaller group of only Israeli and Palestinian teens in order to focus more deeply on what was happening in the region.
   

2. •A typical program involves between 50 and 65 teens and is made-up of 2 components: the 2-3 week summer intensive, as well as, a 1-2 year follow-up program.  All participants are now offered 2 full years of program support in their home communities.
   

3. •The 2002 summer intensive was held in New Jersey because of a generous donor who offered to host the program; whereas, most years the BBfP summer intensive is held in Colorado.
   

4. •In 2007, we opened the flagship Building Bridges for Peace (BBfP) program to male participants because we believe that both teen girls and boyse need access to a transformational style of leadership development so they may become equal partners in creating more peaceful and just communities.
   

Since the premier in June 2010, “My So Called Enemy” has received the following awards:

Hamptons International Film Festival

Winner, Jury Prize for Best Conflict & Resolution Film

 

Starz Denver Film Festival

Winner, Special Jury Prize in Filmmaking

 

Boston Jewish Film Festival

Winner, Audience Award, Best Feature Documentary Film