Zeev Havatzelet (1922-1962) was a composer, lyricist, and film director. In the military, Havatzelet held the post of Culture Officer in the Nachal Brigade and as part of his job, he helped to establish the IDF’s music ensemble, Lehakat Hanachal (The Nachal Group), penning a number of songs for the group in its early days – with the most popular one being Ne’achez Bekol Mishlat (‘we shall hold onto every outpost.’) At the end of the 1950s, he headed to Italy to study film. On his return, he began experimenting with directing a number of shorts. In 1963, Havatzelet directed his one and only feature film, What a Gang, based on a novel of the same title by Israel Wissler (aka ‘Puchu.) Just days before the film premiere, Havatzelet was tragically killed in a tractor accident. And though it is the only feature-length film he got to make, this iconic work that explored the image and persona of the native Israeli (aka ‘Sabra’), enshrined Havatzelet’s name in the history of Israeli cinema.

Feature

What a Gang!

Directed by Zeev Havatzelet, 1963
חבורה שכזאת
Rental English subs.

88 min.

Moment

Film Director Zeev Havatzelet Dies

1962
הלך לעולמו הבמאי זאב חבצלת

Moment

The Film What a Gang Premieres

1962
הסרט חבורה שכזאת מוקרן בהקרנת בכורה

1 min.

Moment

Excerpts From Israeli Film What a Gang

1961
קטעים מתוך הסרט הישראלי חבורה שכזאת

1 min.

Moment

Filming of the Israeli Movie What a Gang

1961
צילומי הסרט הישראלי חבורה שכזאת

Documentary

Life from the Dead Sea

Directed by Zeev Havatzelet, 1961
חיים מים המוות

13 min.

Short Film

The Director, the Film, and Nahal

Directed by Zeev Havatzelet, 1960
הבמאי, הסרט והנח"ל

13 min.

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