Gal Gadot to co-produce film adaptation of controversial Israeli book
The Israeli actress became world-famous from Wonder Woman, but her next project tackles a more controversial source material.
By AARON REICHActor Gal Gadot arrives with her husband, Yaron Varsano, to attend the National Board of Review awards gala in New York, U.S., January 9, 2018(photo credit: REUTERS/LUCAS JACKSON)
Israeli actress Gal Gadot has captured the eyes and hearts of audiences all over the world in her critically acclaimed portrayal of Wonder Woman, and became a symbol of pride for the State of Israel.However, the Israeli government may find the source material for her next project more controversial.Partnering with Keshet International through their production company Pilot Wave, Gadot and her husband, Jason Varsano, will be co-producing a cinematic adaptation of the 2014 Hebrew novel Borderlife by Israeli author Dorit Rabinyan, Variety reported.The novel, which focuses on a forbidden relationship between an Israeli woman and a Palestinian man jailed for security reasons, was at the center of controversy when then-education minister Naftali Bennett removed it from school reading lists.Bennett argued that the book shouldn’t be required reading for students, given that it portrayed Israeli soldiers as sadistic.“Should I force Israeli children to read this? Is this a top priority?” he asked at the time, according to The Guardian.Bennett said his office “is not the Culture Ministry, and people can read outside whatever they like, but we need to prioritize.”This, ironically, caused the book to spike in sales domestically.However, the premise is not anything particularly groundbreaking. For example, Adam Sandler’s 2008 comedy, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, featured a comedic take on a similar premise, and didn’t experience any such controversy when it was released.Pilot Wave is a relatively new production company. Its first project slated for release is a historical thriller about Irena Sendler (played by Gadot), a woman who rescued thousands of children during the Holocaust.
Gadot recently wrapped up filming on a cinematic adaptation of Agatha Christie’s mystery novel Death on the Nile and is slated to start filming Red Notice alongside Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
