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Between Bullet and Lens

Between Bullet and lens, is a gripping 27-minute documentary that delves into the harrowing experiences of journalists and photojournalists who covered the brutal Hamas attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023. Through raw and uncensored testimonies, these frontline witnesses recount the chaos, fear, and moral dilemmas they faced documenting the worst massacre of Israeli civilians since the founding of the state. Their stories provide an unfiltered look at the cost of bearing witness, exposing the thin line between journalism and survival in conflict.

  • Kobi Yonatan
    Director
    Testimonies 710
  • Kobi Yonatan
    Writer
    Testimonies 710
  • Kobi Yonatan
    Producer
    Testimonies 710
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    27 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 31, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    45,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Israel
  • Country of Filming:
    Israel
  • Language:
    Hebrew
  • Shooting Format:
    video 4k
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kobi Yonatan

Kobi Yonatan is an Israeli documentary filmmaker and photojournalist. A graduate of the Camera Obscura School of Art, he has worked for over 35 years as a news cameraman for various international television networks. For the past 15 years, he has served as the principal cameraman for Japanese television NHK in Israel.
Throughout his career, he has directed and filmed nature documentaries, video art, and documentary films that have been screened at major film festivals around the world. His work is characterized by a strong visual sensitivity and a deep commitment to human stories unfolding in the heart of conflict and reality.
Between Bullet and Lens is his latest film, offering a powerful and unfiltered glimpse into the experiences of journalists who risked their lives to document the war from the frontlines.

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Director Statement

Between the Bullet and Lens, was born out of a deep personal and professional need to give voice to the people behind the camera — the journalists and photojournalists who witnessed the unimaginable during the Iron Sword War in southern Israel.

As a photojournalist with over three decades of experience, I’ve spent much of my life documenting the world’s most fragile and volatile moments. But nothing prepared me for the stories told by my colleagues — stories of horror, bravery, and inner conflict that rarely make it into the headlines.

This film is not about politics or strategy. It’s about the emotional and psychological cost of seeing too much, of being both an observer and, inevitably, a participant. Through intimate and uncensored testimonies, Between the Lens and the Bullet reveals the personal toll of documenting tragedy, the invisible wounds, and the strength it takes to keep telling the story.

I made this film to honor those who stand on the front lines with a camera, capturing truth in its rawest form. I hope it resonates with audiences as a tribute to courage, vulnerability, and the human spirit.

— Kobi Yonatan
Director & Cinematographer