The Strand presents Coexistence My Ass! with the Camden Conference and Points North: an award-winning documentary following Israeli peace activist and comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi. Director Amber Fares will join for a post-screening discussion, with Shuster Eliassi participating via Zoom.
Raised in Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam (“Oasis of Peace”), an Israeli-Palestinian community, Shuster Eliassi uses stand-up comedy to challenge audiences with uncomfortable truths about occupation and peace prospects. The documentary, shot between 2019 and 2024, captures her evolution from UN diplomat to comedian as regional violence escalated.
The film premiered at Sundance 2025, winning the Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression, and has earned accolades including the Human Rights in Motion Award and Golden Alexander Award for Best Documentary. Visit the COEXISTENCE MY ASS! Website for more information.
USA / France | 2025 | 1h 35m
Directed by Amber Fares
This screening connects to the Camden Conference’s 39th annual gathering, Today’s Middle East: Power, Politics & Players (February 20-22, 2026).
“FINDS HUMOUR AND HEARTBREAK IN ISRAELI COMEDIAN NOAM SHUSTER ELIASSI’S ATTEMPTS TO BRIDGE THE DIVIDE…”
— SCREEN INTERNATIONAL
“URGENT, EYE-OPENING AND ENORMOUSLY COMPASSIONATE…”
— VARIETY
