Milk & Honey, Blood & Tears is one of the latest documentaries to premiere in the aftermath of the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel. The documentary follows residents of Kibbutz Be’eri from November 2023 through November 2024, after the one-year anniversary.

I’ve watched a number of October 7 documentary by now. They never get any easier, even when mentally preparing oneself to press the play button on the 106-minute film. It’s certainly no different here, not knowing what to expect. Would this film be heavy on the graphic footage? Most of the October 7 docs can be very graphic in nature, especially when utilizing archival footage. Thankfully, filmmakers keep the graphic footage to a minimum, other than to set up the context. October 7 documentaries in general can be rather tough to sit through. They are never easy to watch but we do it so that we can bear witness to the tragedy. Whatever one might think of courage and determination will change after watching this film. We must hear their stories and keep sharing their stories so that the world does not forget.

All surviving residents of Kibbutz Be’eri were displaced following the attack. When we first meet some of them, they are making the best of the situation while living at a hotel about a month after the attack. What we find is a community that is resilient and united as they work to rebuild not just their lives but their home. One can certainly say quite a lot about rebuilding and losing family members. All I can do on my end, for now, is to just sit down and listen. It’s the bare minimum to ask of people.

I couldn’t help but feel for them as they shared their stories, especially after they went through a horrifying experience. Terrorists would murder 132 people in cold blood, including both residents and security personnel. Another 30 were taken hostage. Some citizens were returned to Israel during the temporary ceasefire in November 2023. Terrorist groups in Gaza are still holding hostages. Say what you will about the hostage-ceasefire deal, we cannot abandon the hostages.

Anyone familiar with Be’eri would know that all its citizens want is to live in peace or find a way to coexist. Some of the most prominent peace activists in Israel lived on the Kibbutz, including Vivian Silver. While Be’eri rebuilds, there is a question of what peace in the future will look like. In the meantime, citizens are still fighting for the release of their family members from Gaza. It’s because of this that filmmakers did not attend the world premiere.

Like other October 7 documentaries, Milk & Honey, Blood & Tears is essential viewing as we follow a resilient community as they do their best to find healing and rebuild their lives.

DIRECTORS: Leslie Benitah & Sophie Nahum
SCREENWRITER: Leslie Benitah

Milk & Honey, Blood & Tears holds its world premiere during the 2025 Miami Jewish Film Festival. Grade: 4.5/5

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