Jerusalem screening highlights film’s themes of loss and recovery
The documentary “The Bridge,” which follows ten Israeli musicians who lost loved ones, friends, and homes in the October 11 attacks, was screened this week at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, drawing an audience that included US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and several of the Israelis featured in the film. The event, as reported by Jerusalem Post, came days after the film’s premiere earlier this month.
Huckabee, an avid bass guitarist, said the film moved him deeply. "Music has the power to take our worst moments and help us to put them behind us," he said, according to Jerusalem Post. Songs, he added, express "our struggles, our trials, our tears, and our joys. That is why music is so powerful." He thanked the participants and David Fishof, founder and director of the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, for giving the audience "the power and healing that music brings."
The music that survived
The documentary, produced by Kev Bright (known for his work on “Friends”) and directed and edited by Brad Allgood, follows a group of young Israelis who traveled to Los Angeles for the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, where they rehearsed, formed bands, and performed with veteran musicians from groups such as Guns N' Roses, Van Halen, and Black Sabbath. The camp culminated in a final performance at the Viper Room in Los Angeles, where, as Bright told Fox News Digital, the band noted it was "the first time that Hebrew has ever been spoken on the stage of the Viper Room" — a moment that allowed the participants to "carry their country, their personal pride in that country and present it through music."
The film premiers (screening) was even the full story through the lens of ten survivors. Fox News reported that the group "refused to let the music die" and turned "personal tragedy into a story of resilience and musical healing," while the Jerusalem Post described the world of the film as capturing the essence of healing after "devastating losses." The tagline: "Ten survivors. One way to rock."
Bright recalled during a Fox News interview an moment that made the documentary special. Speaking about one camper who lost everything in the conflict, he said, "All that was left was the volume control of his run." The camper told him, "The music wasn't gone, I could still control the volume" — something that "really hit me hard." Bright has also said the film avoids political debate and focuses on the survivors' human story.
Accounts of the Israeli participants
Among those featured is Sahar Tsim was at the Nova Music Festival when Hamas attacked on October 7, where more than 300 people were killed and dozens taken hostage. She escaped to a nearby kibbutz, but two of her friends were taken hostage, including Inbar Hayman, who died in captivity. Shifer spoke of survivor's guilt and helped advocate for hostages, including Romi Gonen, her friend's sister, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Tuval Haim's brother, Yotam, also a musician, was kidnapped by Hamas, managed to escape, but was killed by friendly fire. Bar Rudaeff's father was kidnapped on October 7 and later learned of his death; the family chose Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" for his funeral and later built a music studio in Tel Aviv.
Ben King of Kibbutz Be'eri survived with his wife in their safe room after attackers entered their home and set it on fire. Valeria Dvorkin sat alone with her dog in a safe room for over 24 hours; many of her friends were killed or kidnapped, including Emily Damari, who was released in early 2025, and twins Gali and Ziv Berman, returned in October 2025. Dov Engel, a reservist, was wounded fighting on October 8.
The trip to Los Angeles in Washington occurred as anti-Israel protests spread across college campus. Fishof said the camp changed many Americans' vision of Israel, as many had never met an Israeli.
Musical connections and backing
Several musicians contributed to the film. Sebastian Bach posted "Am Yisrael Chai" in support of Israel after meeting participants, according to the Jerusalem Post. Linda Perry allowed the production to use one of her songs without charge, and Diane Warren contributed a peace song.
Fishof also shared the film's difficult . Speaking anonymously to the Jerusalem Post, he noted that the Tribeca Festival rejected the film because it was feared to be too pro-Israel, and he reflected on the challenge of overcoming such attitudes while sharing the Israeli story.
The film was co-directed with Brad Allgood and produced by Kevin Bright, who appeared at the Jerusalem screening via a video message, celebrating the participants' stories.
The documentary is scheduled to roll out in North America starting October 5, with a wider theatrical release in November.
Perspectives
Mike Huckabee (US Ambassador to Israel): “Music has the power to take our worst moments and help us to put them behind us.”
Kevin Bright (Producer): The musical story is centered, allowing survivors to "carry their country and personal pride" through performance. He avoids politics to let the human story shine.
David Fishof (Camp Founder): "The camp changed their vision about Israel" and gave Americans a new perspective, while also enduring rejection from a film festival over perceived partisanship.
Participants (various interviews): They speak of finding music as a way to control their lives, like the camper who said "the music wasn't gone; I could still control the volume," and others like Valeria, who said she could no longer listen to music after October 7 but now "runs on it, with its power."