Boulder Jewish Film Festival: A Burning Man

TICKETS Friday, October 30 at 12 PM Any parent with a child serving in the military during times of conflict can be expected to experience anxiety and even a sense of dread over their loved one’s safety. In Israel, where military service is mandatory, this excruciating experience is ubiquitous. Filmmaker Eyal Halfon was inspired to create a film that reflected his paternal protective instinct when his eldest son joined the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In this quiet fable, a father drops his son off at a military base in the Negev. Pausing under an acacia tree just outside the gates of the compound where his son may be preparing for battle, he becomes paralyzed by a profound sense of helplessness. Yonah, beautifully played by acclaimed actor Shai Avivi, is simply unable to leave. Nearby, a rave party all too reminiscent of the Nova Music Festival is about to take place. Winner of the Best Israeli Feature Award and the Best Actor Award at the Haifa International Film Festival, “A Burning Man” takes place almost entirely in one location. Yonah takes comfort in the kindness of a series of passing strangers – who represent a cross section of Israeli society – but there is no cure for the ache in his fearful heart. Followed by a panel discussion with local parents with children serving in the IDF. Feature/103 minutes/In Hebrew/2026 Written and directed by Eyal Halfon