September 22, 2025
2:11 pm

SOUL OF A NATION

Provocative Documentary on the Polarization of Israeli Democracy Opens in U.S. Theaters Oct. 3

A case study in how divisive rhetoric, extreme positions and the abandonment of compromise pulls societies apart and undermines democracy.

Venezuelan filmmaker Jonathan Jakubowicz’s film takes an unfiltered look at Israeli politics’ most perilous chapter in recent history – a period defined by internal divisions and political extremism.

Opens in New York on October 3 at Quad Cinema

Opens in Los Angeles on October 10 at Laemmle’s Royal and Laemmle’s Town Center 5

Soul of a Nation was the opening night film at the Miami Jewish Film Festival earlier this year, where it went on to win the Audience Award. The festival noted that the documentary draws “parallels to the rising polarization in democracies worldwide” and “serves as a timely, universal, and hopeful call to action, reminding us that even in moments of deep division, peace and unity are not beyond reach.”

“Jonathan explores Israeli society and politics in all its dizzying complexity while offering a sobering warning about the fragility of democratic institutions,” said Greenwich co-president Edward Arentz.

Jakubowicz said: “For the past two years, Israel has been impossible to ignore. Yet amid the noise, one crucial element was missing: nuance. Every side pushed its agenda so forcefully that it became extraordinarily difficult to grasp the horrific events unfolding before our eyes. But we didn’t just watch from the sidelines. In the months leading up to October 7th, we were on the ground in Israel, documenting a nation on the edge of crisis. As someone who grew up in Venezuela, I know what polarization can do to a democracy. In Israel I saw similar fractures—hundreds of thousands in the streets, leaders warning of collapse. What we uncovered was not just division, but a nation fatally exposed to the horrors that soon followed. This film isn’t only about Israel. It is about the dangers of polarization—the single greatest threat facing the Western world. Too many are sleepwalking into intolerance, manipulated by outrage machines designed to divide us. The lessons Israel laid bare in 2023 are urgent, and essential if we want any hope moving forward.”

Produced by Claudine Jakubowicz, Dalit Merenfeld, Santiago Garcia.

Greenwich Entertainment is a leading distributor of high-quality independent, international, and documentary films. Other current and upcoming releases include Love Brooklyn starring André Holland; Michel Franco’s Dreams starring Jessica Chastain; Fantasy Life starring Amanda Peet; Omaha starring John Magaro; and Islands starring Sam Riley and Stacy Martin. www.GreenwichEntertainment.com