Finding the Story Between Art and Tragedy with Nathan-ism Director Elan Golod

By Film Threat Staff | June 21, 2023

What were the challenges you faced in getting the green light and telling Nathan’s story?
Nathan’s personality proved to be a fascinating facet of the story, but at the same time, it sometimes presented a challenge to the filmmaking process. As seen in the film, Nathan is very much a storyteller intent on telling his story the way he wants to tell it, without much room for deviation. Navigating Nathan’s storytelling style and working within the framework of his unique personality became an integral part of the filmmaking process. It required a delicate balance between honoring his individual perspective and probing and exploring the narrative in a way that would resonate with the audience. Ultimately, Nathan’s distinct personality, coupled with his artistic expression, contributes to the richness and depth of the film. My hope was to come away with a story that showcases the complexities of human nature and the intricate dynamics between personal storytelling and the filmmaking process.

Were there challenges in getting Nathan to be part of the documentary? Did he have reservations?
Initially, when I cold-called Nathan to explain my interest in his story, Nathan was hesitant about opening up. Approximately 15 years earlier, another team had filmed with him around an effort to publish a book about Nathan. Unfortunately, that project didn’t materialize, and this previous experience contributed to Nathan’s wariness. Realizing the need to build trust and provide more clarity about my intentions, I sent Nathan a letter. In that letter, I explained in great detail my genuine interest in his story and also shared some background information about myself, mentioning that I, too, had been a young soldier in Israel. This helped establish a connection and created a sense of understanding between us.

“…Nathan’s vibrant artwork, paired with the right animation treatment, could truly capture the essence of his stories…”

To my surprise and delight, Nathan responded positively to my letter and extended an invitation for me to visit him. Over the course of several visits, I gradually built rapport, and together we fostered a sense of comfort. It was during this process that Nathan started to feel more at ease and eventually agreed to participate in the filming of the documentary. Nathan opened himself to the camera’s lens, and as time went on, his reservations transformed into enthusiasm for the filmmaking process. He not only opened up about his experiences but also displayed a genuine interest in the technical aspects of filmmaking. The transformation from initial hesitation to active participation and enthusiasm around the film and the filmmaking process was a testament to the power of addressing his concerns with transparency and respect.

Can you talk about the process behind making his artwork a part of the storytelling of Nathan’s life?
From the start, I strongly believed that Nathan’s vibrant artwork, paired with the right animation treatment, could truly capture the essence of his stories and memories and immerse the viewers in his deeply subjective point of view. While contemplating the approach, I came across the works of Héloïse Dorsan Rachet, an animator based in Paris, who had created animations for a colleague’s film, Michelle Steinberg’s “A Place to Breathe.” I was captivated by the childlike and innocent quality her work presented, and I sensed that she could effectively emulate Nathan Hilu’s unique artistic style.

To ensure the animations stayed true to Nathan’s original work, we embarked on a lengthy process of animation tests. Maintaining authenticity to the core was of utmost importance to me. Drawing inspiration from numerous references within Nathan’s artwork, we meticulously explored different techniques and approaches. Nathan produced an abundance of drawings featuring the key figures from the trial and pivotal scenes within the narrative. These drawings served as a wellspring of visual material to guide our animation process.

Later in the process, another talented animator named Hectah Arias joined the team. I enlisted Hectah to add a tangible and tactile quality to Héloïse’s 2D animations through motion graphics. Collaborating with both Héloïse and Hectah allowed us to strike a harmonious balance between emulating Nathan’s artistic style and infusing it with a distinct touch. The animations became an integral part of the film, enhancing the narrative and creating a bridge between Nathan’s artistic expression and the viewer’s experience.