6 Open, 21 Closed

Beer Sheva Prison blends so well in the surrounding desert scenery that it´s easy to ignore its existence. But those familiar with life beyond its walls have called it “A Living Hell”. In 1991 disciplinary measures were enforced by Prison Commander Ron Levkovitch in order to regain control of prison effectively run by its inmates. The wards turned into a “slaughterhouse” as inmates responded by cutting themselves. The staff retaliated with tear gas and transferred dominant inmates to other prisons. Two years later Beer Sheva Prison is seemingly under control, but inside the wards inmates vent their resentment – “people here are walking Scud missiles, armed with anger and frustration”. Levkovitch is about to finish his term of command and the arrival of his replacement – Shlomo Tweezer, causes tension among the prison´s population. Will the intimates rebel in defiance of the new commander or will they grant him a period of grace? Tweezer, who grew up in the slums of Beer Sheva and commanded other penitentiaries is familiar with the prison´s population. He believes the best way to run a prison is by creating a direct and ongoing dialogue with the inmates. What will now happen to Amno0n who wants to marry and seeks a rehabilitation program after 17 years in prison? Can Patrick, locked up for 23 hours a day, be granted more freedom? Will Ben-Haim be allowed to share a cell with his father who is serving a life sentence? Beer Sheva Prison during the summer of ´93. Six month inside a closed and desolated world where an hour is sometimes an eternity.