The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility

Zero Degrees of Separation

This feature documentary breaks with the sensationalistic media coverage of the Middle East by documenting the everyday lives of same-sex Palestinian-Israeli couples. Faced with the modern injustices of work visas, checkpoints, harassment and prejudices, these brave individuals resist oppression and take small steps each day to build a sense of peace, mutual respect and hope. Filmmaker Elle Flanders draws on her own story of growing up with Zionist grandparents who were intimately involved in the founding of the state of Israel. Their haunting archival home movies evoke an idealized Israel of the 1950s and summon larger questions about humanity, conflict …
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.

Details

This feature documentary breaks with the sensationalistic media coverage of the Middle East by documenting the everyday lives of same-sex Palestinian-Israeli couples. Faced with the modern injustices of work visas, checkpoints, harassment and prejudices, these brave individuals resist oppression and take small steps each day to build a sense of peace, mutual respect and hope. Filmmaker Elle Flanders draws on her own story of growing up with Zionist grandparents who were intimately involved in the founding of the state of Israel. Their haunting archival home movies evoke an idealized Israel of the 1950s and summon larger questions about humanity, conflict and nationalist aspiration.

Sexuality and Reproduction War, Conflict and Peace Developing Countries All subjects
  • director
    Elle Flanders
  • editor
    Cathy Gulkin
  • visual design
    Cynthia Madansky
  • cinematographer
    Christopher Romeike
  • composer
    David Wall
  • producer
    Elle Flanders
    Peter Starr
  • executive producer
    Silva Basmajian
  • associate producer
    Tamara Romanchuk
    Dara Gellman
  • location sound
    Tully Chen
  • sound design
    Jane Tattersall
    Kathy Choi
    Jean Bot
  • editorial consultant
    Cynthia Madansky
  • dialogue editing
    Yuval Saglv
  • additional editing
    Yuval Saglv
  • post-production on-line
    Andrew Mandziuk
  • title design
    Cynthia Madansky
    Geoffrey Pugen
  • script editor
    Judith Flanders
  • additional camera
    Cala Levin
    Elle Flanders
  • photo stills
    Tamara Moyez
  • assistant editor
    Tanyss Obonsawin
    Paula Kaston
  • mixing studio
    Casablanca Magnetic North
  • re-recording
    Dino Pigat
  • assistant
    Jocelyne Tremblay
  • website design
    Stephanie Marshall
  • production accountant
    Nancy Gomes
  • legal services
    Kate Henderson
    Michael Levine
    Tara Leigh Parker
  • production coordinator
    Anousheh Showleh
  • translator
    Dorit Abramovitch
    Asher Al Koby
    Ayeda Ayed
    Smadar Carmon
    Tariq Ibrahime
    Hannan Kashou
    Hanadi Loubani
    Taghreed Meqdadi
    Eran Tzin
    Mirav Tzin

Education

Ages 16 to 18

Notes

What is a “settler” and why have settlements in Israel become such a source of contention between Palestinians and Israelis? The documentary addresses the differences that divide the country. Are these differences the reason why the two main relationships in the documentary come to an end? Research the history of the wall built in Israel. Other walls in history were created to minimize conflict—what are they and what impact did they have on the societies in which they were built?

More educational content

Zero Degrees of Separation
Purchase options
Licence Information
Already paid to see this film?
Licence Information
Download licence details
Personal & Single-Classroom Use

Who it’s for:

Individuals watching for personal use, and parents or teachers wishing to screen a film for a single class in Canada.

What it allows:

  • Private, personal viewing in Canada and worldwide.
  • Screening the film for a single class in Canada.
  • Downloading and watching offline.

What it does not allow:

  • Screenings or events for multiple classes, school boards, or campus-wide events.
  • Community, public or institutional screenings or events.

Bonus materials are not included with the downloaded film.

Institutional Use

Who it's for:

Organizations, government departments, businesses and non-profits. For other institutions seeking licensing options, please contact info@nfb.ca .

What it allows:

  • Internal screenings for employees, members or patrons.
  • Screenings open to the public on the organization’s premises, with no admission fee and outside the commercial cinema circuit.
Looking to host a one-time public screening instead?

Who it's for:

Public libraries, community groups, NGOs and other organizations wishing to host a one-time public screening in Canada with no admission fee.

How to request a screening:

Complete the “Request to screen an NFB film” form.

For any questions, email communityscreenings@nfb.ca.

Streaming restrictions

Films purchased as downloads (DTO) cannot be hosted on a streaming server without prior authorization.

To request permission to add these films to an institutional or educational streaming server, contact info@nfb.ca.