The Intangible Cinema Project: City. Cinema. War

Since its inception, cinema has been captivated by the allure of the great metropolises—at times elevating them to mythic status, at others rendering them a living hell. In this process, the boundaries between the cinematic image of the city and its lived reality have blurred.

The birth of cinema and the evolution of urban culture unfolded alongside the rise of 20th-century political ideologies and seismic historical events, many of which brought destruction to the heart of the city. Consequently, cinema—and the urban image reflected within it—became a mediator of historical trauma, a space where genre-defining works serve as allegories for society’s repressed anxieties.

In this event, we will examine the encounter between built space and cinematic space, asking how architecture, urbanism, film, and history merge to reveal the haunted collective subconscious of post-war cities (and perhaps, at times, even prophesy their fate).

Our journey follows a chronological arc: from early "City Symphonies," through post-WWII Italian and German cinema, the American cinematic response to the Vietnam War and the 9/11 attacks, culminating in a contemporary look at the Gaza Strip and the "Otef" region under the shadow of the current war.

Doors Open: 19:30

Event Starts: 20:00

During the evening, we will screen two short films in their entirety, each offering a unique perspective on cities in the aftermath of war, from different historical periods and locations: Michelangelo Antonioni’s 'N.U.' (Italy, 1948) and Rotem Elkayam’s 'Between the Sheets' (Israel, 2024).

Moderator: Shani Kiniso, film researcher and critic, co-founder of "The Intangible Cinema Project"

Content Development: Moran Navon, Content Manager, Liebling Haus

N.U. (Nettezza Urbana)

Michelangelo Antonioni | 11 Min | Italy | 1948 | Italian

In his second film, Antonioni documents a day in the life of Rome’s sanitation workers, shedding light on a marginal subculture that is considered almost invisible. His lyrical investigation into their arduous existence is at once somber and charming, revelling in everyday moments of mystery and humor.

Between The Sheets

Rotem Elkayam | 14 Min. | Documentary | Israel | 2024 | Hebrew | Hebrew Subtitles

The war and refugees that suddenly entered Rotem’s life on October 7th sent her on a search for a home. Throughout a restless night, she moves between houses, seeking protection and warmth from the men she encounters but unable to find comfort. The dark streets of Tel Aviv mirror her loneliness. As dawn breaks, both Rotem and the city feel emptier.

Metropolis” (1927) advertisement, Archives New Zealand, via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0