Erez Laufer was born and raised in Israel. His film Mike Brant -Laisse moi t'aime won the 2002 Israeli Academy Award for Best Documentary 2002, and had its international premiere at the Directors Fortnigte, Cannes Film Festival 2003. He has worked on numerous projects with renowned filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D A Pennebaker, including the Oscar-nominated The War Room, a three-part series celebrating Woodstock's 25th anniversary titled Woodstock Diary, the documentary Startup.com, and Only the Strong Survivea among others. In 2001, Erez joined forces with Steps For the Future an international collaboration of filmmakers working on an HIV/AIDS film campaign project for South Africa, and in 2003 he joined the Africa 10 team to work on a series of films for the 10 year anniversary of South African Independence. Among his recent works is the television documentary series IDF — The Musical, and he is the co-editor of Laura Poitras film My Country My country on the 2005 election in Iraq. He is currently presenting his new film he made with his father The Darien Dilemma.
Filmography:
The Darien Dilemma (2006) Director/Producer A father and his filmmaker son explore an untold story of 1,000 Jews stranded in the winter of 1941 on the frozen Danube, waiting a life-or-death decision to be taken by their would-be rescuer, senior Mossad agent Ruth, and her agents in a hotel room in Istanbul. Intriguing storytelling interweaving interviews with the survivors, actors and a father who must tell this story! Erez Laufer Films production. 90 min.
My country My country (2006) co-Editor The agonizing predicament and gradual decent of one man caught in the middle of the tragic contradictions of US occupation in Iraq and it's project to spread democracy in the Middle East. Directed by Laura Poitras. World Premiere, Berlinale, Forum 2006.
Cry Of The Owl (2005) Director The filmmakers get a rare opportunity of an intimate look into the day-to-day lives of one family opening their hearts and shacks, sharing their desires and fears. The storytelling takes us through the four seasons of the year following three generations of strong Himba women. Producer: Dori Caspi
IDF- The Musical (2004) Director IDF the Musical is a historical documentary series that deals with one of Israeli society's central sites of memory, proposing a contemporary and critical look at the phenomenon of the IDF bands. Eden Production, Edna and Elinor Kowarsky, The new Foundation.
Flag War (2003) Editor A film by Linda Goode Bryant & Laura Poitras. Flag Wars follows what happens when gay white professionals move into a black working-class neighborhood. Filmed over a four years in Columbus, Ohio, Flag Wars is a cinema verite documentary that leads viewers on an eye-opening journey into a divided community. POV Season Premiere, June, 2003
Mike Brant Laisse moi t'aimer (2002) Director, Editor Mike Brant is an Israeli that became Mega-Star in France in the 70's jumped to his death, he didn't have the strength and will to fight back. Israeli academy award for best documentary. The international premiere of the film was at The Director Fortnight at Cannes Film Festival 2003.
Only The Strong Survive (2002) Co-Editor D A Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus's film on the Rhythm & Blues. With Sam Moore, Wilson Picket, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas and more. Miramax release.
Startup.com (2001) Co-Editor A nervy insightful look into the yearlong life of a dot-com, look into the up-an-down business world. Premier at Sundance 2001. Artisan Release D A Pennebaker present film by Chris Hegedus and Jehane Noujaime.
Total-Loss (2000) Director Traveling from Tel-Aviv, to Amsterdam, Himalayas, Delhi, Bombay and Goa, Total Loss is a hilarious story about a unique director, Gur Bentwitch, that gathered a group of talented, nihilistic, young actors to shoot a movie on shoe-string budget about the ultimate drug Total Love.
Why do I need feet when I have wings to fly (1999) Director, Editor A journey to the Israeli world of dance. The film includes 22 dance works, from pure aesthetics to political statement.
Mother Cinderella (1998) Director, Editor The Israeli Ballet’s tour to China. It gives an exclusive look behind the scenes a ballet company. The Prima Ballerina Orna Kugel has a dilemma - to choose between having a baby and her dedication to dancing.
The Lost Performance -Monterey Pop (1997) Editor VH-1 Special, celebrating the 30’th anniversary to the Monterey Pop music Festival summer 1967 featuring un-released performances from the original film by D A Pennebaker.
Zehava Ben - Song for Peace (1997) Director A unique glimpse of Israeli and Middle East politics of 1996 through Zehahva Ben's career, a famous Israeli singer who also sings in Arabic. She performs for Palestinians in the West Bank and travels to Cairo. Supported by The New Foundation for Cinema & Television Won the Gold Hugo at INTERCOM 1997 Chicago.
Yehuda Poliker - Face to Face (1996) Director Yehuda Poliker and his band on the road. Behind the scenes of one of Israel most important artists, an original Rockementary.
Don’t Cry For Me Edinburgh (1996) Director A comic non-fiction film that follows the journey of an Israeli gay fringe theater group to the Edinburgh Festival with their show of gay stories of Israelis writers “Words of His Own”. Produced by Erez Laufer and Idan Productions. Supported by The New Foundation for Cinema & Television.
Filmography:
