Coexistence, My Ass!

Official selection

PoliticsComedy/SatireHistory/War

Noam Shuster Eliassi, born to an Iranian Jewish mother and a Romanian Jewish father, was once a peace activist who, upon realizing the limitations of that path, turned to stand-up comedy. Her comedy quickly gained attention, but after Hamas′s attack and Israel’s bombing of Gaza in October 2023, the world and the beliefs she had built begin to unravel into profound confusion. Over the course of five years, Amber Fares closely follows Noam’s journey alongside shifting global events, capturing the tension between jokes told on stage and the starkness of reality. At the same time, the film deeply observes her inner transformation and commitment to using humor as a means of exposing the systems of occupation and oppression. The film’s message—“Coexistence is only possible between equals”—pierces through the illusion of so-called ‘coexistence’ and powerfully challenges those who hide behind the phrase, “It’s complicated,” to avoid confronting the truth. An abundance of works has tackled similar themes recently, but this film stands out for its striking insight and emotional resonance.

Programme note by JO Ji-hoon