Holding Liat

Kramer, B. (Director). (2025). Holding Liat. Collective Eye Films. 97 mins. Holding Liat is a gripping documentary that focuses on the Hamas-led attacks that occurred in October 2023. It does so by following the personal narrative of one family and their efforts and experiences during the hostage situation. The film walks a tightrope, navigating political divisions between Israelis and Palestinians while demonstrating a masterful approach to empathy despite disagreement. The documentary turns personal trauma into public advocacy through a mix of visual storytelling, with close-up emotional reactions woven in between professional footage, news coverage, interviews, and political meetings. The technical quality of the shots is profound, and the fact that coverage is seen from very early on until three months after Liat’s release gives a comprehensive picture of the situation and narrative at hand. The filming and editing choices strengthen the story, and the film is accessible with subtitles for various languages, location and scene label changes, and clear audio and sound mixing. Content wise, due to the hostile nature of the situation, viewers should be apprised of the recounting of graphic violence before screening. It should be noted that the family showcased has political connections, through which they can be seen lobbying in Washington, D.C., and has agreed to essentially be a public face for the crisis. Due to this, there is a point where the viewer realizes that, due to the sponsoring organization of Liat’s family, some constraints on public statements are being enacted. This would be a helpful use case academically for examining how outside advocacy organizations can influence how stories are told. While the film excels at offering various perspectives, it also tackles huge sociopolitical issues that bridge political divides and humanitarian concerns. It does not claim to offer any answers to the tensions and acknowledges that the scope of the documentary has been focused on one particular family. While it provides current political context, it would be beneficial to include more historical context for viewers who are not familiar with the situation in Gaza. It does, however, end on an inferred comparison when Liat takes her students to a Holocaust museum in Jerusalem, which conveys the serious nature of events. Overall, Holding Liat is recommended. It could be beneficial viewing for a variety of educational classes, such as political science, journalism, ethics, international relations, and Jewish or Middle Eastern studies and would be best suited for an adult audience.