It's not often that one goes to the theater to correct history, but that's exactly what happens in the play "Photograph 51", which will be performed on March 24 at the Chamber Theater.
The play unfolds the story of Dr. Rosalind Franklin, a brilliant young scientist who reached a global scientific breakthrough in the study of DNA - but the Nobel Prize for this discovery was given to male scientists, who were based on her phenomenal discovery.
More than 60 years have passed since the attempt to push Dr. Franklin out of the Hall of Fame, and now the actress Neta Gerti is taking over her role. Alongside her, Tom Avni, Alon Sandler, Micah Selekter, Nadav Assolin and Yoel Rosenkiar are participating in the show. Directed by Amunah Mor Frank.
"We are correcting history here," says Gertie with a smile.
"She died at the age of 37 from the X-ray radiation to which she was exposed so much, and a few years later the pair of scientists who stole the photograph from her on the basis of which she arrived at her discovery won an award. Only years later, when one of the scientists published a book in which he flaunted feathers that were not his, did they realize that she deserved the credit ".
"We need to strive for a feminist discourse."
Gertie, photo: Michal Halvin
As part of the preparation for the position, Gertie met with many female scientists, and according to her, she discovered that even today it is a male world where women are forced to hide their femininity in order to be taken seriously.
"I met with a lot of female researchers from the Weizmann Institute who are doing holy work, I was in Ada Yonat's lab, and it amazed me to see that even in 2023 women in such a position have to make adjustments to the male world in order to be listened to. For example, to avoid wearing dresses or collecting their hair when lecturing."
The play comes out in a difficult time in Israel, when questions about the status of women are also floating in the air.
"True, and it seems that there is no thought at all about it. And I'm not talking about full equality at all - in politics we don't even come close to equal female representation. Even in the world of culture, it still doesn't exist, despite the many attempts to achieve it. This feminist discourse is important, and we need to strive for it ".
About the situation in the country, Gertie says: "Terrorism is rampant, interest rates are climbing, democracy is in danger, and there is a deep rift in the nation. I believe strongly in unity, in liberalism, in the freedom of choice, and that a man should live by his faith. I believe in giving equal rights to women and the LGBT community.
I'm naive and I believe in people and their kindness, despite the divisions, the economic madness and the violence in the streets."
These days she also plays in the Chamber Theater in "The Son" and "Love and Epidemic", and on the screen she stars in the last season of "Fauda", which was recently released on Netflix.
"After every wave like this, when a season goes up on Netflix, I get a lot more Indian followers," she laughs.
"It turns out that 'Fauda' is a real hit there. I get comments from all over the world about the series, which is very nice," she says.
Is there anything to say about a new season?
"I know there is a thought about another season, but I don't know where it's going and what will happen with it, or what will happen with my character."
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