My name is Hania and I am ultra-Orthodox.
Really ultra-orthodox.
I didn't go to film school, I don't have a degree, nor a high school diploma.
When I started shooting a documentary film, there were those who told me: "Don't contact the corporation, your film is not suitable for a public broadcasting channel. They are looking for political films, big films."
But the corporation did look for me - a young and inexperienced creator.
They wanted to make my voice heard, they had space for a film about my autistic and ultra-Orthodox child, who is a minority within a minority.
The film I created deals with the integration of children with disabilities in ultra-Orthodox and Israeli society, and it will be broadcast on Channel 11 later this year.
I faced many barriers, but the corporation actually opened doors for me.
Protest by the corporation's employees, photo: Gideon Markovich
Modesty, depth and wisdom
I come from a Hasidic and very conservative community.
I am afraid of losing myself in a secular industry, afraid of creating a superficial and yellow film, afraid of focusing only on the bad and afraid that experienced voices will influence me.
But that didn't happen with the corporation.
Throughout the entire process I conducted with their documentary department, I never felt the need to shrink or defend who I am, they did not try to impose drama for ratings purposes, no prejudice or superficial view of the sector emerged.
Neither right, nor left.
Yes, there was modesty and depth and wisdom, and a willingness to bring a complex statement.
I am in favor of affirmative action and diversity in representation.
I am in favor of a culture accessible to the social periphery, in favor of equal opportunities and against the privileged blindness that parts of the industry suffer from.
The corporation building in Jerusalem, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
I know how it feels to have my voice silenced, I understand the feeling of deprivation and loneliness that is created.
I also know that the corporation is not perfect, there is still a clear majority for certain parties and there is not equal representation for all sections of the people.
But if there is one place that tries, wants, that is open to new voices - it is the corporation.
It's a place that looks for young creators and gives a platform to new voices.
A place that produces something that has never been seen on Israeli television.
Two weeks ago I screened 14 minutes of my film in front of directors of ultra-orthodox seminars.
We talked about integration and inclusion in the sectoral educational institutions, we discussed topics that are not discussed in such a forum.
14 whole minutes of a television broadcast went through the strictest ultra-Orthodox audience there is, and gave a voice and a face to children who are usually pushed out.
Without the corporation this would not have happened.
Do you need more proof that will testify to the diversity and beauty and youthful spirit that exists in the corporation?
Hania Brodbecker is an ultra-orthodox docu director at the Public Broadcasting Corporation
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