Objector

Objector
Director: Molly Stuart | 75 min | 2019 | United States

“A wonderful demonstration of the power of young women to conscientise their communities and bring about change.”
– Sarah Dawson, IDFA

Like all Israeli youth, 19-year old Atalya Ben-Abba is obligated to become a soldier. Unlike most, she questions the practices of her country’s military and becomes determined to challenge this rite of passage.

Despite her family’s political disagreements and personal concerns, Atalya refuses military duty and is imprisoned for her dissent.

What ensues before, during and after Atalya's incarceration causes inner conflict over disappointing her family versus her stance on human rights. Atalya identifies with the growing dissent some younger Israelis feel. She loves her home country of Israel but hates its treatment of the Palestinians, who once lived in the land now occupied by her people.

Atalya also shares the younger generation's battle fatigue – the ever-constant fear of conflict on the horizon – but her courage moves those around her to reconsider their own political positions and power to effect change.

'Objector' opens a unique window into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the perspective of a young woman who seeks truth and takes a stand for justice.

Previous festival selections include:
IDFA 2019
Athena Film Festival, USA