Even with My Eyes Open (2011)

• 67%
• 2011
• Documentary
• Ofir Trainin

The musical and soul-searching journey of Gabriel Belhassan, musician, former orthodox Jew and recently diagnosed with manic depression. After being released from a mental institution he began working on a solo album. But leaving his family and moving to Tel Aviv frightens him - the urban solitude, pressure, disturbed sleep and totality of the music bring on the disease again. His manic attacks have him standing on the brink of sanity, reaching out to God, just as he did when he was a child. Refusing to give up, he struggles to finish the album and receive the artistic acclaim he so desperately wishes for.