Closed Zone by the animator of Waltz with Bashir

“Closed Zone” is a 90-second animated film by Yoni Goodman, Director of Animation for the Academy Award-nominated film “Waltz with Bashir”. Closed Zone shows the closure of the Gaza Strip and its effects on the ability of one and a half million human beings living there to pursue their aspirations and, more recently – even to run from harm’s way, during the devastating military operation in Gaza. Unfortunately, despite post-war calls to rehabilitate Gaza, the closure policy remains in effect.

Gisha, a Tel Aviv-based NGO, commissioned the film

“out of concern that the discourse on access policies in the Gaza Strip ‘erases’ from consideration the individuals affected by the closure. As a first step in protecting human rights in Gaza, we find ourselves needing to remind people of the humanity of Gaza residents – and the rights they have by virtue of their humanity, including the right to freedom of movement. The film is our attempt to help viewers see and empathize with the real victims of the closure policy – 1.5 million human beings, here represented by a single cartoon character and the bird he chases – who just want to live normal lives.”