The Children of October 7

The Children of October 7
Film poster
Directed byAsaf Becker
StarringMontana Tucker
Country of originIsrael
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersEytan Schwartz, Meny Aviram, Mor Tregger, Zameret Alexaneroni, Jonathan Barsade and Rotem Alima[1]
CinematographySasha Gavrikov
EditorYotam Katzor
Running time35 minutes
Production companyKastina Communications[2]
Original release
NetworkParamount Plus, MTV
ReleaseApril 23, 2025 (2025-04-23)

The Children of October 7 is a 2024 Israeli documentary film in which dancer and activist Montana Tucker interviews seven of the young victims of the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel.[3]

Synopsis

The film opens with Kfir Bibas, the baby Hamas kidnapped on October 7 and subsequently killed, laughing.[4] After a trigger warning, it continues with footage of the attacks juxtaposed with personal photos.[4] Among the victims interviewed is Eitan Yahalomi, who was abducted by Hamas and released in the 2023 exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. He describes being kidnapped on a motorcycle, beaten by a mob, and forced at gunpoint to watch videos of the terrorists killing people.[5]

Also interviewed are Rotem Mathias, who was saved from being taken hostage by hiding under his mother's dead body; Alona Rousso and Yella Rousso, from Kfar Aza; and Ella Shani of Kibbutz Be'eri.

Amit Cohen of Nir Oz recounts that the same bullet that passed through his father's leg hit his dog.[5]

11-year-old Yael Idan, who saw her sister killed and her father taken hostage from Kibbutz Nahal Oz,[6] describes the events while the film shows footage from a video that Hamas members livestreamed on Facebook.[5]

The children's ages range from 11 to 17.[7]

Production

Tucker, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, was approached by an Israeli film company years after Tucker's work on a Holocaust docuseries.[6] Tucker was aware of Holocaust denial and wanted to contribute to the historical record to counter October 7 denial.[8] She compared the two scenarios by noting the children lost "their families, their homes, and their innocence in a single morning".[9] Asaf Becker produced the film. A psychologist was on set at all times.[5]

After Tucker and CBS vice president of communications Andrea Ballas met at an event, Ballas brought the film to Shari Redstone's attention.[10] Redstone noted her interest in informing and educating the public about the horrors of the October 7 attack on Israel and the "aftermath for thousands of children who will forever suffer from the impact of that day".[11] The film was picked up by Paramount+, where it premiered on April 23, 2025, followed by an airing on MTV.[12]

Critical and community reception

On 2 December 2024, the documentary premiered at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem and was attended by Israel's President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog.[13][14] The US premiere at the Paley Center for Media in April 2025 was attended by Jason Isaacs and Emma Hewitt, Gloria Gaynor, Nancy Spielberg, Elie Honig, and Noa Argamani.[10] Danielle Solzman called the film "essential viewing".[15]

References

  1. ^ "Paramount+ Acquires 'The Children Of October 7' Documentary About Israeli Kids Impacted By Hamas Attacks". Deadline. 2025-03-26. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  2. ^ Manley, Breanna (2025-04-23). "'The Children of October 7′ documentary premiere: How to watch, where to stream free". al. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  3. ^ "Montana Tucker's Oct. 7 film showcases young victims' strength". NewsNation. 15 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b Cutler, Jacqueline (2025-04-23). "The Children of October 7 Speak Out in Devastating Doc". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  5. ^ a b c d Brown, Hannah (2025-04-23). "Montana Tucker documentary 'Children of October 7' released in the US". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  6. ^ a b Jacobson, Dana (2025-04-19). "Documentary "The Children of October 7" chronicles stories of young survivors of Hamas terror attack". CBS News. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  7. ^ Fishbach, Brian (2025-04-17). "Montana Tucker's 'Children of October 7' Documentary to Premiere on Yom HaShoah". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  8. ^ Lefkovits, Etgar (2024-12-03). "From Los Angeles to the Gaza border: Montana Tucker's Oct. 7 documentary premieres in Jerusalem". JNS.org. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  9. ^ Gilson, Grace; Sharon, Jeremy (2025-04-05). "Five new documentaries shed light on the post-October 7 American experience". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  10. ^ a b Cobb, Kayla (2025-04-23). "Inside the 'Hard Battle' to Bring 'The Children of October 7' Doc to Paramount+". TheWrap. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  11. ^ Vlessing, Etan (2025-03-26). "Paramount+ Acquires 'The Children of October 7' Documentary". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  12. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (April 5, 2025). "Paramount+ to Stream 'Children of October 7' Documentary". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  13. ^ "Those who watch 'The Children of October 7' won't be able to deny the massacre". Ynet. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  14. ^ "'The Children of October 7': Montana Tucker premieres emotional film". Ynet. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  15. ^ "The Children of October 7 Is Essential Viewing". Solzy at the Movies. 2025-04-23. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
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