Life as a Rumour

“Assi Dayan[tells] the story of his life in his voice, with captivating honesty … The result is one of the most powerful documentaries ever made in Israel.” – Yedioth Aharonot

Best Documentary, Ophir Awards (Israel’s Oscars), 2013. Assi Dayan (1945–2014) devoted his life to distancing himself from his father, famous Israeli general, Moshe Dayan. The actor, director, writer, and producer was one of Israel’s most famous and provocative filmmakers, as well as a womaniser, alcoholic and drug addict.

This is also the story of the Dayan family, of intergenerational struggle and the relationship between a founding father and a rebellious son. Born just before the Jewish state was declared, Assi Dayan’s tumultuous life story and the narrative of the nation merge and clash. With archival footage, private films, photos and clips from his many iconic movies, this film shows Dayan’s success in Israel and abroad – which was interrupted time and again by psychiatric illness. This is Assi Dayan, with heart-breaking honesty, taking stock of his life.