Omer Shiloach

Although he spent most of his life fighting ethnic discrimination, Yosef Shiloach is best remembered by the public for his comedic roles in Bourekas films. Yet behind the clownish image that clung to him was a deep, complex, and courageous artist who sought to change Israeli reality. He met with Yasser Arafat in his office and fought for peace—actions that ultimately forced him to leave the country. Shiloach was also a prolific writer—of songs, poems, screenplays, and more. Through his writings and rare, personal footage filmed by his daughter, we gain insight into the inner world of a man who began supporting his family at age nine and became one of Israel’s greatest actors.

Although he spent most of his life fighting ethnic discrimination, Yosef Shiloach is best remembered by the public for his comedic roles in Bourekas films. Yet behind the clownish image that clung to him was a deep, complex, and courageous artist who sought to change Israeli reality. He met with Yasser Arafat in his office and fought for peace—actions that ultimately forced him to leave the country. Shiloach was also a prolific writer—of songs, poems, screenplays, and more. Through his writings and rare, personal footage filmed by his daughter, we gain insight into the inner world of a man who began supporting his family at age nine and became one of Israel’s greatest actors.

Although he spent most of his life fighting ethnic discrimination, Yosef Shiloach is best remembered by the public for his comedic roles in Bourekas films. Yet behind the clownish image that clung to him was a deep, complex, and courageous artist who sought to change Israeli reality. He met with Yasser Arafat in his office and fought for peace—actions that ultimately forced him to leave the country. Shiloach was also a prolific writer—of songs, poems, screenplays, and more. Through his writings and rare, personal footage filmed by his daughter, we gain insight into the inner world of a man who began supporting his family at age nine and became one of Israel’s greatest actors.