SAMUNI
(blind me)
Filmed by Daniel Pakes and Ophir Ben Shimon
Four strangers are present in one space. The space is infinite and undefined - and so are their relations. Located in the holy city of Jerusalem or the living room of their shared home, in a closed institution or the dry landscapes of planet Dune. A family of four or false prophets deranged by “Jerusalem Syndrome”, strangers to each other or old acquaintances, and maybe these are four different beings from parallel dimensions.
Four souls who cannot see one another or themselves, blind to the space surrounding them, and the changes in reality that are taking place right underneath their nose. The Prophet - eyes covered by an ancient cloak; the Animal - blinded by her own hair warped around her eyes; the Father - eyes rolled back into their sockets; the Daughter - eyes shut closed through the whole time, as if by choice or complying with an order from above.
They move in proximity - never finding a connection, always passing through - missing each other’s touch and any chance of intimacy. In this darkness and loneliness there will be no encounter, no real connection - no Humanity. The world around them is falling apart - and they are oblivious, each to his own.
SAMUNI (blind me) was created after the pandemic when Israel entered its dark days of the 37th government spearheading the 2023 Israeli judicial reform attempts, while millions were protesting in the streets. Days of fear in which no one knew that the worst was yet to come.
Performed by: Sara Wilhelmsson, Ariel Gelbart, Alma Karvat Shemesh & Gilad Jerusalmy
Costume Design: Veronika Szor
Light Design: Rotem Elroy
Artistic Advisor: Rachel Erdos
The piece was created with the support of the Foundation for Independent Creators by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Israel.
SAMUNI (blind me) premiered at Habait Theatre Jaffa, May 2023