The child of a Bauhaus architect, Gitai studied architecture in California. He served in the Kippur War in 1973 as rescue crew, and later abandoned architecture to dedicate himself to filmmaking. Gitai often chooses the form of documentary and even more often clashes with censors. One of the greatest living Israeli filmmakers, Gitai participates regularly in the world’s most important film festivals. He moved back to Israel in 1993, after a twenty-year absence, and is vocal about his right to criticize his own country, given his love for its heritage and his attachment to its destiny – both personal and professional.
