A scene from The Garden of Eden

A review by Sara Groundland

The documentary film, The Garden of Eden, recently shown at Raanana’s ESRA Cinema Club, was well received by the audience. Ran Tal, the writer, director, and producer, spoke briefly, about how the film was made and answered questions from the audience.

The Garden of Eden, aka Gan Hashlosha, aka Sachne Park (located in the Galilee), is a movie about people - people who swim daily in its balmy natural pools fed by hot springs. The springs are a steady 28º year-round and people of all ethnic descents swarm through its gates to picnic, barbeque, or just take in the beautifully landscaped lawns and scenery based on the architects' dream that this park would give everyone a place to come and feel contentment. 

The film encompasses all seasons with twelve different stories of the people Ran got to know over three years of filming there.  Israelis and Arabs bring their families there to enjoy nature and to picnic to their hearts' content (big bellies were on view).  Nothing is left out, and as the camera doesn't lie the film has an authentic feel about it.

The stories of lost loved ones, either by death, war, or even by divorce, show how each individual interaction with the camera gives us an insight into people and their lives.

A truly enjoyable film and one which makes me want to visit the park in the future.