The Gist Nim Shapira: Torn Between Empathy and Erasure
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Sep 9, 2025 Filmmaker Nim Shapira, known for his documentary 'Torn,' dives into the impactful hostage posters displayed across New York post-October 7th. He discusses the complex relationship between empathy and personal boundaries amid societal conflict, emphasizing that erasing pain doesn't end wars. The conversation also touches on the fallout from protests in Nepal over social media bans and the escalating tensions in the Middle East, revealing how these events shape identity and representation in times of crisis.
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Director Was There On October 7
- Nim Shapira was in Israel on October 7 and saw the missing-person posters go up firsthand.
- He felt proud of New York for highlighting the 251 hostages and then pained when posters were ripped down in his familiar neighborhoods.
Footage Pulled From Viral Clips
- Nim compiled hundreds of internet videos to document people putting up and ripping down posters in New York.
- He sourced viral and lesser-seen encounters to show the range of public reactions.
Erasure Versus Legitimate Critique
- Shapira framed ripping posters as a refusal to see individual human pain and as part of broader narratives.
- He warned that blaming all Jews for Israel's actions crosses into anti-Semitism while criticizing governments remains legitimate.
