Freedom Fighters of NILI

Description

Educational Library

Northwestern University

Synopsis

The Freedom Fighters of NILI is a documentary film about the heroic efforts of the Aaronsohns and the NILI spy network, which assisted the British in its fight against the Ottoman Empire in Palestine during World War I. Nili (Hebrew language) an acronym from (I Samuel 15:29; transliteration: Netzakh Yisrael Lo Yishaker, literal translation: “The Eternity of Israel will not lie”).

Director

Leora Chai

Born in Afula, Israel. Leora grew up in Israel and the United States, and is bilingual. She began making short films in high school and has been working in and out of the film industry for the past 25 years. After graduating from Full Sail University’s Film Production Program, she worked on several independent films and TV award shows (Emmys, ACMA Awards) in the production department. Leora has directed, produced and wrote Walk of Legends, a feature documentary candidly portraying the history of stock car racing in the United States. It was her first endeavor as a producer and director. She directed, produced and wrote the award winning independent narrative feature film, Speedland, which has been screened at film festivals in the United States. She has worked, in production, on several big- budget films including, Talladega Nights with Will Ferrell. Recently, she wrote, produced and directed an award winning short film called Crazy Rent. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Charlotte with a BA in Communication and an MA in Teaching from USF. Currently, Leora is developing a screenplay, NILI SPIES, through Modified Entertainment, Inc.

Filmmaker Statement

When I was growing up in Israel in the 1980s, the story of the Nili Spies was required school reading, but unlike most assignments, this was a gripping, tension filled, history lesson which held me in thrall. I was captivated by the bravery of a brother and sister who risked their lives for love of country. I was inspired and intrigued to learn whatever I could. Over the years, I have researched heavily on he topic, worked with several of the descendants of NILI, and made countless visits to Israel to research the archives at the Aaronsohn museum. The extraordinary leadership and exploits of the Aaronsohns and their pro British spy ring (NILI) which operated in Palestine (then under Turkish rule) during World War I is the stuff of big screen drama. Theirs is a story which begs to be captured on film and I feel privileged to be involved in seeing that it does so.

Leora Chai -Lee

Producer/Director Freedom Fighters of Nili