youth Actor David Cunio’s plight is portrayed in Tom Shoval’s “2025” berlinale documentary letter to davidamong 20 living Israeli hostages released from Gaza today.
david On October 7, 2023, he and his brother Ariel were taken hostage by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where 251 people were abducted and another 1,200 were killed.
David and Ariel were released today as part of the Gaza ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump, which saw 20 Israeli hostages freed from Gaza.
The bodies of 28 other Israeli hostages who died in captivity are also scheduled to be returned. Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners of war and more than 1,700 detainees from the Gaza Strip in exchange for hostages.
Among the 105 hostages freed during a week-long ceasefire in November 2023 were David’s wife, Sharon Aloni Cunio, and their then three-year-old twin daughters, Emma and Yuli.
David was the subject of a Tom Shoval documentary. letter to davidplayed in this year’s Berlinale Special.
On the festival’s opening night, several German actors accompanied Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle and held up pictures of David.
David previously appeared in Shoval’s films. youth Alongside his twin brother Eitan, it focused on the powerful bond between the two brothers and, with tragic irony, revolved around their kidnapping. Choval premiered youth At the 2013 Berlinale.
letter to david blend behind-the-scenes footage of youththe Kunio family and their kibbutz tapes, and a portrait of David and his family, as well as contemporary interviews to paint a picture of the dire and unimaginable circumstances in which they found themselves.
Following the news of David’s release, Shoval said: screen“This is a profound moment for me. I have been waiting for this moment along with my Kunio family with much worry and anxiety for my friend and artistic collaborator David to return as an actor in my film.” youthfrom captivity in Gaza with his brother Ariel.
“Youth This was a movie about brotherhood and the unity it creates, and now that unity is complete again. letter to david It was an unfinished film, and until now it had no ending. I’m really happy to be able to close it now. ”
letter to david It is produced by Alona Refua, Maya Fischer and Roy Bareket of Israel’s Green Productions and Nancy Spielberg of US-based Playmount Productions. It was funded by Israeli broadcaster Hot8, Israeli foundation The New Fund For Cinema And Television, Jewish-centered philanthropic organization Blavatnik Family Foundation, Boston Rose, and Jewish Story Partners. Jerusalem-based Go2Films has worldwide distribution rights.
David’s younger brother Eitan co-starred in the film. youthfled from a Hamas-led armed group on October 7.
(Tag translation) Berlin
