Surviving October 7th: We Will Dance Again review: Survivors' accounts of Hamas attacks is the most difficult TV you'll ever see, writes ROLAND WHITE
Surviving October 7th: We Will Dance Again (BBC2)Rating:Its a sad measure of our furiously divided times that a documentary about the slaughter of unarmed youngsters felt it necessary to suggest that the BBC wasnt taking sides.
Surviving October 7th: We Will Dance Again (BBC2)
Its a sad measure of our furiously divided times that a documentary about the slaughter of unarmed youngsters felt it necessary to suggest that the BBC wasnt taking sides.
Surviving October 7th: We Will Dance Again (BBC2) began with the warning: This film cannot tell everyones story.
What followed was 90 minutes of the most difficult television youll have seen in a very long time.
An account of the horror at last years Nova music festival, it heard from a young man who was fleeing by car when his friend was shot dead in the seat next to him.
There was also camera footage from Hamas of a distant figure on their knees, pleading for mercy before the inevitable bullet.
Surviving October 7th: We Will Dance Again (BBC2) began with the warning: This film cannot tell everyones story. (Pictured, a still of Halely Ben-Tzion speaking on the BBC programme)
Part of the BBCs Storyville strand, the programme just let the survivors talk about that terrible day, illustrated with mobile phone footage. (Ben Sadeh speaks on BBC Storyville)
Watching the footage unfold, its a miracle so many survived. (Pictured a still taken from the BBC show)
By the time the police and army arrived, six hours too late, there were bodies everywhere. Along the main road, there were bodies in cars, bodies under cars, bodies in the road.
Of the 3,500 people at Nova, 400 were either killed or kidnapped. Watching the footage unfold, its a miracle so many survived.
Part of the BBCs Storyville strand, the programme just let the survivors talk about that terrible day, illustrated with mobile phone footage.
Noa, 29, who booked some of the DJs for the festival, was able to leave quickly. On the road, she saw what she assumed was an accident and stopped to help.
As soon as she opened the car door, they began shooting: The only reason they missed is by chance. I thought I was dead.
Eitan, 28, fled to a tiny shelter built to withstand attacks, but the terrorists soon found it.
A man called Osama, the only Muslim in the shelter, went out to reason with the gunmen.
They shot him, and started throwing grenades.
A young man called Aner was by the door. As each grenade came in, he threw it back out. The ninth grenade got him, and Eitan took over.
Of the 3,500 people at Nova, 400 were either killed or kidnapped. (People are seen at the October 7 festival)
Elinor, 24, (pictured) was by the festivals main stage when she heard gunfire getting closer. She hid in one of the large drinks fridges
By the time the police and army arrived, six hours too late, there were bodies everywhere. (Pictured, revellers at the festival before the attack)
They couldnt hold out for long. The attackers seized hostages, and then raked the shelter with gunfire. Eitan was surprised to find himself still alive, and looked around.
I thought everyone was acting, he said, playing dead so they wouldnt be kidnapped. Then I realised I was sitting on a pile of bodies.
Elinor, 24, was by the festivals main stage when she heard gunfire getting closer. She hid in one of the large drinks fridges. Although struggling to breathe with the lid firmly closed, she held out until help arrived.
Hamas footage featured gunmen on motorbikes leaving for the attack, chanting To heaven, guys!, and The time of the Jihad nation has risen.
It also showed that infamous video of Shani Louk, just 22, semi-naked on the back of a Hamas truck as one of her captors spits on her face.
No, you cant always tell two sides of a story. But sometimes one side is enough.
