After 30 years of a prosperous career during which she became a cultural icon and a symbol of freedom and victory, Dana International will star in a new docu-reality called "Dana Rises", which will air on yes and STINGTV.
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"It was the idea of Shai Kerem, my manager. I didn't believe that we would end up doing a series like this, so much so that I flowed with him and said 'okay,'" she says.
"As it progressed, I hoped it wouldn't come true, and to this moment, when I'm talking to you, I can't believe I did it. It's probably the hardest thing I've done in my career."
Why actually?
"After 30 years, in which I was able to maintain the line between the public Dana and the private Dana, without the make-up, the feathers and the big mouth, now I violated this place. Sometimes artists get confused between their image and who they really are, and I never believed that I was a queen, an icon , a diva or a trailblazer. It embarrasses me to think in such terms, and to keep my sanity, I leave Dana International outside the door of the house and she doesn't go in there with me. Until these photos."
Dana International at the Pride Parade in Tel Aviv - from "Dana Kama"
You performed on the biggest stages, and in the end that's what scares you?
"I didn't know what I should do, because I'm someone who doesn't know how to lie, and I had a lot of fights and friction with my manager Shay, also in front of the cameras. I understand that series like this are scripted and build a character for you, and I think they tried to do that with me too, but it's simple It didn't work. I'm used to showing the side of the big mouth and aggression, someone who stands up for herself, but that's only a small part of who I am, and it's much harder for me to be exposed in pain, weaknesses and difficulties. That was the challenge in this series."
I guess we can hear you yelling too.
"I thought there would be a series in which I just scream, and I'm very happy that Ilan Aboudi, the director ("The Polycubes"), was sensitive and attentive enough not to believe my pose, and to peel me with a lot of patience. He brought me to many places I didn't believe I could reach."
What was the most challenging for you in the process?
"The moments when I got out of control and got into fights with Shay that we never had. It's hard for me to forgive myself for that."
At HOT they launched "Connected". Is this actually the answer of yes?
"'Connected' is an old format that has already proven itself, and it is lined with six people so that every viewer can find himself somewhere, but the series we made brings something new and different to this field of docu-reality, both in language and in the story."
Dana International with the friends at home - from "Dana Kama"
How is it different?
"During the filming, we realized that it was interesting to film the dynamic between us and the team that makes the series, and this turns it into a reality show within a reality show, which provides a glimpse into how this genre works. There is a part where I go crazy screaming, and Shay tells me, 'Good, you are doing exactly what that they want', and you see them smiling happily."
In one of the episodes, you arrive at a family event after a long, long absence. How was?
"This was one of my struggles. After 20 years of not coming to family events - I overcame all the fears, demons and concerns, and arrived at my niece's wedding, and you will have to watch to find out how it ended."
To conclude: the situation in Israel is very complex, where does it take you?
"I am very patriotic, and I love my country very much. It is the country that made my dream of becoming a singer come true, and I am grateful for that. I am very sorry for the bad atmosphere that exists now, the division and division. I expect the leaders to give the whole nation a feeling that we are together and to work in our favor I must say that the situation that has arisen greatly affects the mood, but I am optimistic and hope for the best."
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