Jerusalem—A groundbreaking Israeli film, “Legend of Destruction,” visualizing the fall of Jerusalem and the Second Temple at the hands of the Romans in the first century, is seeking an international audience. Directed by Gidi Dar, this unique film is adapted from the Talmud and the writings of Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian who participated in the revolt against the Romans before documenting his people’s defeat.
The film’s narrative is conveyed through 1,500 original oil paintings created by two Israeli artists, with dialogue performed by actors in voiceover. These still images draw inspiration from Western art history, including influences from Fayum mummy portraits of Roman Egypt, Caravaggio, Francisco de Goya, Edvard Munch, Francis Bacon, and Eadweard Muybridge-like photo-sequences.
The ambitious project, which took nearly a decade to develop, premiered in Israel in 2021. By early 2023, it mirrored the nation’s internal strife over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial attempts to diminish the power of the supreme court. The context shifted dramatically after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and over 200 taken hostage, followed by Israel’s subsequent invasion of Gaza.
An English version of the film, featuring the voices of Oscar Isaac, Elliott Gould, Billy Zane, and Marilu Henner, has struggled to gain recognition outside Israel. The film has faced significant challenges in the international arena, largely overshadowed by the global backlash against Israeli military actions in Gaza, which, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, have resulted in nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths.
Despite its artistic and historical significance, “Legend of Destruction” remains in search of a broader audience to appreciate its unique portrayal of a pivotal moment in Jewish history.
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