The Smugglers

Tony Copti, Yaniv Berman

Michel George El-Raheb owns a small book shop and café in the city of Jaffa called Yafa Cafe. Facing mounting challenges in running the shop, he calls upon his nephew, film producer Tony Copti, to partner with him. While looking to buy books for the shop, Tony ends up on an eye-opening journey that forces him and his uncle to become book smugglers. The process brings him to question where Jaffa’s books have disappeared to after the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation, known to Palestinians as the Nakba. “The Smugglers” is an absurd reflection of Israel’s ongoing oppression of Arabic language and Palestinian culture.

Directors: Tony Copti, Yaniv Berman

Script: Tony Copti, Yaniv Berman

Research: Youssef Asfour

Producers: Tony Copti, Yaniv Berman

Production company: Fresco Films, Royal Rate

Editing: Tony Copti, Yaniv Berman

Filming: Yaniv Berman

Animation: Avi Blyer

Actors : Michel El-Raheb , Tony Copti

Soundtrack: Michael Goorevich

Music : Gad Emile Zeitune, Tamer Nafar

86 Minutes | Israel | 2024 | Arabic

Produced by
  • Kan – Israeli Public Broadcasting Corp |
  • Gesher Multicultural Film Fund |
  • Albi Fund