06:30 (Six Thirty, שש וחצ) is a unique documentary about ten individuals sharing their experiences following the barbaric October 7 attacks in Israel.

What makes this documentary so unique in its approach from previous October 7 documentaries is the use of miniature sets. The doc, which runs barely over an hour long, doesn’t depend on the GoPro or smartphone footage. But even though the imagery is not graphic like other October 7 docs, it is no less easy to watch. All of the October 7 documentaries are heartbreaking, whether they depend on archival footage or not. Not only was the film quick to get into production but it aired on Kan in April 7, 2024.

The interviews took place during the week following the attacks and leads into a larger interwoven narrative painting a portrait of the day’s events. I cannot even imagine how it felt to open up days after surviving the most barbaric attack on Jews since the Holocaust. In any event, it speaks to the commitment of making sure people know what happened on October 7. The approach in 06:30 may be different than other films but this doesn’t matter. What matters is that the filmmakers give survivors a platform–woven in with the miniature sets and animation–so that the world can hear it. Unfortunately, too many people don’t care to listen to the survivors, choosing to ignore everything about October 7 altogether. It’s a real shame, too. The events didn’t just shake Israelis to the core but had a similar impact on the Jewish community at large.

As the film’s title suggests, everyone recollects what happened, starting at 6:30 AM. Everyone shares their personal stories. Ultimately, they are interwoven with one another using both miniature simulation and animation. The miniature sets recreate Kibbutz Kfar Aza, the Nova Music Festival, Kibbutz Be’eri, Kibbutz Magen, and the Border Police Combat Sector. They didn’t have much of a choice, what with locations being in a war zone and all. Regardless, it’s rather quick thinking to turn to miniature sets to tell their stories.

06:30 (Six Thirty, שש וחצ) is another significant contribution to the growing body of October 7 documentaries.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Alon Daniel
FEATURING: David Sharabi, Alon Horev, Santiago Perez, Neta Portal, Baruch Cohen, Itzik Nave, Adi Gabay Nave, Chen Mizrachi, Liam Or Nassar, Linor Attias

06:30 (Six Thirty, שש וחצ) holds its Southeast US premiere during the 2025 Miami Jewish Film Festival. Grade: 4/5

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