Nurit Geffen

A special project about Yehonatan Geffen. Aviv Gefen sets out to rediscover his father with his closest friends and is exposed to stories that have never been heard before

Ari Shemer was the greatest singer Israel knew in the 1970's, and a legend in his own lifetime. Decades later, Lenny Shemer, his grandson, turns out to be a musical prodigy and signs up for a famous reality-TV singing competition that may turn him into a pop sensation. So why is his father, Kobi, Ari's son, so underappreciated by his peers? How is it that the great talent seems to have skipped over him with such cruel nonchalance? This is a musical drama about the strange nature of talent, three generations of musicians and the echoes left between them.

Aviv Geffen, the grandson of legendary Moshe Dayan and number one Israeli rock list, is rapidly becoming a mythic figure himself. He was the last person to embrace Rabin before that controversial politician was assassinated. The charismatic, bisexual singer-songwriter has rapidly become the Jim Morrison or Bob Dylan of his country, a voice that represents peace and integrity for a troubled young generation. Concert footage, kinetically edited and brilliantly shot, reveals the depth of feeling that many Israelis have for Aviv: hip, youthful women and men are clearly enamored of his presence. Directed by Tomer Heymann, this feature documentary follows the life of Aviv Geffen, a controversial Israeli singer whose liberal upbringing led him to refuse to serve in the Israeli military. Over the last six years, Geffen has become a spokesperson for the country's youth, and this film chronicles the rise of his career, his family roots, and how he finds the inspiration to write music.