In a little hair salon in Haifa, Israel, owned by a Christian Arab, the director installs a mini-film set over the washbasin. As she washes their hair, she converses candidly with the salon’s clients, who are Arab and Jewish, on topics ranging from politics to love. What emerges from these conversations is an honest and nuanced portrayal of contemporary Israel.
Iris Zaki moved to London in 2009 to study documentary filmmaking after several years in the Israeli media industry. In 2013 she commenced a practice-based PhD in documentary practice under the supervision of the award-winning director Marc Isaacs, which explores her innovative filmmaking technique, focusing on closed communities.
My Kosher Shifts (2011)