Sundance film ”Coexistence, My Ass!” Offers Raw, Urgent Take on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Thru Comedy
PARK CITY, UT – A new documentary premiering at Sundance, “Coexistence, My Ass!” follows comedian Yael Eliassi as she navigates the complexities of identity, politics, and humor while performing a stand-up routine tackling the Israeli-palestinian conflict. Director Amber Fares initially wasn’t convinced of Eliassi’s comedic talent after a chance meeting in Brooklyn, but traveled to Boston to see her perform, ultimately leading to a film documenting Eliassi’s transition from political work to comedy.
Eliassi expressed relief that Fares was the filmmaker chosen for the project, recalling a previous offer from an Israeli cisgender male that “didn’t feel right.” Fares’ previous work, including the film Speed sisters, had already resonated with Eliassi.
The film delves into deeply personal territory, with Eliassi joking about her complete openness during filming, even considering documenting medical procedures like a colonoscopy for inclusion. However, the humor doesn’t overshadow the serious political backdrop. Eliassi became emotional during a performance, acknowledging the ongoing conflict and expressing gratitude to Fares and editor Rabab Haj Yahya for continuing the project ”in spite of the atrocities of war.”
“We stayed together because we need … to not give in to the very powerful forces that are trying to silence us,” Eliassi stated, emphasizing the film’s purpose as “a voice of resistance” to the violence. “Coexistence,My Ass!” aims to challenge conventional approaches to peacemaking by embracing a more direct and unflinching outlook.
