Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Loss explores the pervasive violence ingrained in everyday life, spotlighting the politics of belonging and exclusion.
- Sivan Levy Zakin emphasizes trust on set, noting the rare, genuine connection between her lead actors, Amit Rahav and Gili Weiss.
- Independent filmmaking thrives on carefully chosen teams, creating a family-like commitment to the shared vision.
At this year's HollyShorts Film Festival, Sivan Levy Zakin brings her intimate film Loss to the forefront. Known for her multifaceted roles as a filmmaker, actress, and musician, Sivan crafts stories that challenge the status quo and delve into raw, emotional landscapes.
Her latest work, Loss, is a poignant exploration of grief, girlhood, and resilience, featuring standout performances by Amit Rahav and newcomer Gili Weiss. The film is a collaboration with her wife, Rotem Levy Zakin, who shaped its visual world.
Q&A Interview
What drew you to make Loss?
I made 'LOSS' because violence here is not just a backdrop—it’s the atmosphere we breathe. Goni loses her brother not in a war far away but in the war that exists inside our homes and streets, shaped by the politics of belonging and exclusion. She navigates grief and the discomfort of being herself—queer, a girl, an outsider before she’s even had a chance to define herself freely.
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time?
What surprised me most was how real the relationship between Gili (Goni) and Amit (her brother, Eldar) became almost without direction. It’s rare to see two actors find each other like that, creating a bond that feels both fragile and absolute. Watching them, I realized how much the film depended on that invisible thread between them. Their honesty forced me to trust silence, to let the moments breathe, and to step back as a director.
"Their honesty forced me to trust silence, to let the moments breathe, and to step back as a director."
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
The hardest decision was how to show Goni’s trauma without betraying her. It’s easy to turn pain into spectacle or to fall into clichés of suffering, especially when violence is everywhere. The challenge was to stay close to her—to let her silence, her small gestures, her body tell the story, and to trust that was enough.
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
I hope audiences leave carrying a kind of discomfort—not just empathy, but a real awareness of how violence, shame, and silence seep into children and shape who they become. It’s less about providing answers and more about refusing to let the unease disappear; to make it impossible to look away, even after the film ends."
"I hope audiences leave carrying a kind of discomfort—not just empathy, but a real awareness of how violence, shame, and silence seep into children.
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
Making Loss made me less interested in comfort—mine or the audience’s. I want to tell stories that stay close to the body, that don’t apologize for being hard or unresolved. I’m drawn now to characters who aren’t looking for redemption or to be liked but simply to exist on their own terms—even if the world refuses them space.
"I’m drawn now to characters who aren’t looking for redemption or to be liked but simply to exist on their own terms."
Main Cast and Crew
- Amit Rahav (Eldar) - Acclaimed Israeli actor known for "Unorthodox" and "Transatlantic."
- Ziv Berkovich - Director of Photography, known for his mastery of natural light.
- Arik Lahav Leibovich - Editor, renowned for his work on internationally lauded films.
Explore more about "Loss" on their Instagram.
