The Nova Music Festival in Israel, meant to be a celebration of music, peace and freedom, became the target of Hamas’ brutal attack that started early in the morning of Oct. 7, 2023. Now, a powerful documentary, “We Will Dance Again,” will debut Sept. 24. The documentary serves as a vivid reminder of the tragedy and the heroism that unfolded during those terrifying hours.
The Nova Music Festival attack remembered
Directed by Yariv Mozer, the film combines cell phone videos and powerful testimonies from survivors of the massacre, where more at least 364 people were killed and more than 40 hostages taken, according to a Times of Israel report. The documentary features firsthand accounts from more than a dozen survivors with Mozer using personal recordings, voice messages, surveillance footage and even body cameras worn by Hamas attackers to create an immersive emotional experience.
“Nothing prepared me for the harsh images I saw in the remains of the massacre,” Mozer said. “I see it as my duty as a documentary filmmaker to bring to the world the testimonies and horrific stories of the survivors of this slaughter.”
One of the most chilling moments in the film comes from the story of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American who attended the festival with friends. During the attack, Goldberg-Polin was trapped in a shelter where Hamas threw live grenades. His friend Aner Shapira managed to throw several grenades back, saving lives, but was ultimately killed when one exploded in his hand. Goldberg-Polin lost his arm in the explosion and was later taken hostage by Hamas.
“His story is among the many that highlight the unimaginable choices festivalgoers had to make that day,” Mozer said. “These are young women and men whose only sin was their desire for music and the passion to celebrate free love, spirit and freedom.”
Powerful survivor stories
The documentary does not shy away from the brutality of the attack, including footage captured from Hamas operatives. But it also celebrates the resilience of those who survived. As one survivor noted, “We will dance again” became a rallying cry for the young festivalgoers, symbolizing their refusal to let fear and violence extinguish their love for life.
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