Pierre Dulaine is no stranger to impossible missions. His efforts to introduce ballroom dancing into NYC public schools was turned into a Hollywood film titled Take the Lead, starring Antonio Banderas. Born in Jaffa in 1944, from a Palestinian mother and Irish father, Dulaine fled with his family to Amman in 1948. He then grew up in the U.S. and has gone on to become a world-renowned, internationally celebrated ballroom dancer.
Yet his most difficult mission seemed ahead of him when the first frames of filmmaker Hilla Medalia's insightful, beautiful documentary Dancing in Jaffa begin to roll, immediately spellbinding. Can he teach Arab and Israeli children to trust one another enough and learn to lead each other into what Dulaine himself admits he's asking them to do -- "dance with the enemy"?
Israeli and Palestinians view the conflict as differently as their opposite wording used to describe that infamous day in May of 1948. To the Palestinians, it's the Nakba -- the "Disaster" -- while Israelis celebrate it as their Independence Day. So to bring together Jewish, Muslim and Christian children, already difficult in itself, unifying in dance Arabs and Israelis who have been separated by years of distrust, miscommunication and hatred, appears at first an impossible mission. Perhaps one to end all impossible missions.
But if anyone could do it, I would certainly bet on Dulaine. In the words of Medalia "Pierre himself is a symbol of the 'golden rule'." She explains, "despite what happened to his family, he is determined to look forward and focus on the future rather than linger on the agony of the past..." Then continues, "because of his undeniable charm and the uniqueness of his program, I really felt that this, unlike anything else that was ever done, could work for the children of Jaffa."
Dulaine himself, in the film, tries to put into words the magical power of dance by saying, "when a human being dances with another human being, something happens -- you get to know that person in a way you can't describe..." It's true that nothing quite captures one's soul the way dancing does, whether you are good at it or not; its irrefutable, infectious hold takes you hostage the moment the music starts, and the world turns into your dancefloor.
Then again, I'll never get tired to writing it, art as a whole has the ability to bridge, unite and comfort.
The wonderful thing about kids is that they'll always surprise you. The ones featured in the film -- like the determinate Noor, the shy Alaa and the nervy Lois -- certainly surprised me. Their initial distrust of each other had nothing to do with background or labels, rather with the typical "boys on one side, girls on the other" dynamic that afflicted all of us in those formative years. It was lovely, and hopeful to see just how alike an Arab or Israeli child is to any other boy or girl his or her age, around the world. Perhaps Dulaine's greatest wisdom lies in his instinctual understanding of this, which makes his initiative world-changing. Start teaching trust early on and maybe, just maybe, you can help create a better world, one hopes.
And hope is exactly what watching Dancing in Jaffa gave me. The hope to believe that one day Israel and Palestine will co-exist, away from the settlements and politics. But also the confirmation that cultural activism works; it erodes at the mistrust necessary to divide and conquer, while also entertaining without preaching.
Because if we all know each other, are able to communicate through film, music, art or dance, then we won't be able to believe the myth that we're somehow different. We are all human beings in the end.
Dancing in Jaffa is distributed in the U.S. by IFC Films and opens in limited release starting April 11th.
Image courtesy of IFC Films, used with permission
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
The Wartime Updates You Need To Know
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
HuffPost is dedicated to covering the devastating war between Hamas and Israel. We've broken news on the famine in Gaza, the State Department's turmoil, as well as what Hamas is thinking now — and we're far from done. HuffPost is committed to bringing you the critical updates you need to know. Would you consider contributing as little as $2 to support our reporting? Thank you for your support.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.