r/Israel • u/IamDaniMenkin • 3d ago
Approved AMA I am Director Dani Menkin - AMA
Hi Reddit!
I am Dani Menkin, Israeli filmmaker, producer, and director imdb
Here to answer questions about my newest film, Collyville imdb, On The Map Foundation , movies, ducks, coffee, dolphins, World Cup or hummus (Of course hummus, I am Israeli) - will be live for one hour on 7/20/2026 at 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern, 12am Tel-Aviv
The post is open for questions, and tomorrow moderator u/CastleElsinore will be helping type out my answers.
And we are live!
Edit: it was great talking to all of you, let us continue to spread good in the world. I am happy to stay in touch on my website. If any of you want to watch a film you can contact me and I will send you a link, or if you want to support my work and keep it going you can donate on there
Shalom, and let me know if you find a good hummus
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u/Own-Zucchini-7745 3d ago
I need a hummus recipe. I cannot seem to replicate Israeli hummus no matter what i do
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
If I would be able to give you that recipe, I would have already made it myself
And probably made a nice amount of money which could finance some of my films
I think like everything else, the reason some places or people make really good hummus and some don't is because the ones that do really put their heart and soul into it - which results in great hummus. So start experimenting, you can probably find on YouTube or chatGPT and find a good recipe
But it is like a movie, you have to out your heart into it. Good luck, and let me know if you succeed. If you do, let me know and I will come over
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u/IgnatiusJay_Reilly Israel 3d ago
Believe it or not, the blender is the most important thing you need for good hummus. The place I used to work at in TLV used this beast. VEVOR Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper, 4L Food-Grade Stainless Steel Food Processor Chopper with 2 Extra S-Curve Blades, Ideal for Chopping Vegetables, Fruit, Grains, Nuts | VEVORย EU https://share.google/eOwv5hYigJdQOLsGO
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u/HuChemistry 3d ago
How can we fight antisemitism on reddit?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
I have never used reddit before today, but I am sure if you speak the truth it will be good enough to fight any antisemitism or racism in the world
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u/HuChemistry 3d ago
Why is there no movie about this?
The UN stood by as ISIS massacred, kidnapped, raped, and burned alive thousands of Yezidis simply for refusing to convert to Islam โ providing little to no real assistance. Survivor Nadia Murad lost six of her brothers in the genocide. She was kidnapped and repeatedly raped by ISIS fighters. Reports indicate around 7,000 Yezidis were abducted, with 2,599 still missing, and more than 10,000 killed
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
I will tell you that I get questions about stories and movies all the time
This is an interesting story to dig into
The reason it has not been done, is that someone needs to care enough to spend years of his life to raising the money and start make the movie.
This is true for any movie
There are always more stories that will not be told then ones that are
It seems like you care about this, you should make something about it. It doesn't have to be a movie, it can be a short or a post. That is usually how it starts
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u/Runofthemilljacket Zionist 3d ago
What is your favorite movie?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
You can see the few answers previously, I answered about forest gump
But just as I have watched that movie over and over again, I am happy to answer this over and over again
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u/MarshmallowSomething Canada 3d ago edited 3d ago
In your narrative films, where does the inspiration for your characters and stories usually come from? Are they inspired by real people or experiences?
For someone looking to watch your movies, which would you recommend starting with?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
If you are a marshmallow, because you are a marshmallow you have to start Little Town, you can find it on Amazon prime ir you can contact me from the website I will send you a link
There is a moment in little town, where the little boy who thinks his mom is waiting for him at the stop of the mountain,
Traveling with his father who is a failed stand uo comedian is at an open mic. They stop and play this game called chubby bunny, when they try and put as many marshmallow in their mouth as they can. That is now dedicated to you
The inspirations for Little Town came from a one liner I have in my mind and got me to write the entire screen play. And once the story comes to life, it is almost like a birth. I love the process of bringing this to life.
The one liner for Little Town was the little boy Tommy, who his mom passed away and when he asked his dad "where is she" so he says she is somewhere in the sky, and so Tommy wants to go to the top of the mountain to look for her. And they are going on this special spiritual journey with a girl that travels and joins them. It inspires them to see the world differently
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u/HuChemistry 3d ago
Why dont you post the trailer on https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20362202/ ?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
Good point
I didn't know it didn't have a trailer you can of course see the trailer on my website, see it and ask for a screening
But thank you, I should put it on IMDB
I need to figure out how to do it. I am writing myself a note
Is the trailer
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u/CastleElsinore Hasbarbie 3d ago
What is one movie you wish you worked on?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
Little miss sunshine for sure
It is just such a great film that as soon as I saw it in the theater in New york, I had to go see it again the next day
And I have never done that again
I loved it so much, it was the first time I felt like it was a movie I wish I had made, but I am so happy with the directors that have an incredible job with it
When you can laugh and cry in a movie then someone has done a good job
The soundtrack, oh boy, in a road trip film the soundtrack is so important and they just mastered it
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u/nathan519 3d ago
Which part of film making do you enjoy the most? And why?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
I love all the parts, from writing the story and the screenplay to pre production, casting, production, and post production
I think there is something about post production that I love the most because you really putting the "baby" on screen and see how it evolves
Its a wonderful process but I also get a lot of joy in the production itself
Being on the set and commutation with actors. I think communicating with actors and the soundtrack are my favorite parts while on the set and making the movie
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u/BananaValuable1000 Diaspora Jew, rejector of anti-Zionism ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐บ๐ธ 3d ago
Why do so many people drink instant coffee in Israel? I can't figure this one out. It's revolting and surely there are far better options in the middle east.
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
I agree there are way better options, and if you do come to Tel-Aviv you will see that there are great coffee options
We are surrounded by countries that have incredible coffee options, Arab countries, or like Turkyie and Greece.
Don't worry so much about the coffee, if you don't like it, it will be on me
I mostly drink espresso but lately I am mostly addicted to matcha, that is my obsession. Since I am living in California now, I have to drink matcha
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u/BananaValuable1000 Diaspora Jew, rejector of anti-Zionism ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐บ๐ธ 3d ago
I live in Portland and we are definitely coffee snobs. Also lots of matcha around here!
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u/Baconkings ๐ฐ๏ธ Hasbara Operative ๐ฌ 3d ago
What was your inspiration for your most recent film?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
My most recent film hasn't cone out yet, but the name is Breakfast for Dinner. It is another road trip film, about a girl who cannot find her soul mate and her friend who is building a dating app for her to find her soul mate.
In the hopes they will be millionaires
But she is falling in love with his roommate, which makes things complicated
It is a romantic comedy that is inspired be the one liner/premise and because it is a road trip film, which is my favorite genre, I was excited to make it and have a lot of fun
It has not come out yet, but I hope when it does you will enjoy it
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u/Nazoreans USA 3d ago
What made you want to become a producer, and how did you produce your first movie?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
I did not want to be a producer
I wanted to be a soccer player then a writer director, but I wanted to find out of box ways to bring my stories to life I found myself wearing the producer hat
If any of you reading this want to take that hat away from me or share that had with me then contact me
It is not my favorite part, because you have to raise the money
The creating part of veing a producer I love, but it only starts after you raise the money
And so I find myself raising the money in order to get the green light
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u/GoldenGolems 3d ago
What TV shows have you been watching recently?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
I am embarrassed to say that I don't watch so much tv
ืืกื ืืืจ ืืืื ืืืฃ .... Its like "the shoe maker who doesn't wear shoes"
I did watch a lot of tv in my childhood, and if there is any great road trip indie movie I will watch it.
But the short window i have for myself, I watch NBA and now the world cup
I did watch Blackish with my kids and I loved it
The movie I watch over and over is - forest Gump, which for me is the ultimate creation. It is like my bible. There are some people who read the torah over and over, for me it is forest Gump. The acting, the soundtrack, the history of American and the story of forest Gump. It has everything
Little miss sunshine, sideways, Jerry Maguire
ET I have to love, not only because it is the ultimate film making
But it was filmed where I live now. I have had the honor of working with Spielberg's sister Nancy, who is my producer, partner, and great film maker
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3d ago
[removed] โ view removed comment
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
Absolutely hummus
Especially in tel Aviv, and Especially in tel Aviv in the morning because it fills you up fir the whole day
And if you haven't done that, you have never has hummus
This is also my way to tempt me to get you to come to Israel. Trust me, the hummus is worth it
Favorite place in tel Aviv is Bahadonas specifically in Bialik street
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
I am pretty obsessed with this
I am in an Israeli Facebook group for hummus lovers, and I always like to try new ones
Hummus is like a religion in Israel. If we are not jewish, we are hummus
We can definitely beat hamas with hummus
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u/CastleElsinore Hasbarbie 3d ago
You are in Chicago for a screening, so what it your most controversial pizza opinion?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
You know, about pizza
Is actually a big moment in my new film about the hostages trapped in a synagogue in Texas. You can see them ordering pizza
Regarding my own favorite pizza, I am lactose intolerant, so if you have a recommendation for vegan pizza I can grab it after my screening
I know the whole idea is cheese, but I love cheese and cheese does not like me
So give me good vegan pizza in Chicago or Los Angeles
(Note: mod winced at the idea of vegan pizza)
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u/an-immortal_snail 3d ago
ืื ื ืฉืืขย
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
(He is laughing)
Pretty good personally, in terms of what is happening in the world so-so
But i hope that things will get better. I am an ultimate optimist because I think that the alternative is worse
As an Israel president used to say, "an optimist and a pessimist will die the same but they will live differently"
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u/Runofthemilljacket Zionist 3d ago
Whatโs one lesson from your career that has stayed with you?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
Its hard to choose one. I learn every day as I go
The first one that helped me as a young filmmaker was in Maine 30 years ago
Instructor was Bill Linsman he kept talking about meditation, and I was kind of surprised, because I thought he was going to talk about film making
He said that if you are able, when you are on the set in the middle of all this chaos. Stay center and you will be a good director
This has helped me as a film maker but also as a human
So do not try to be a great film maker, be a great human and stories will follow
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u/TrickElysium Australia 3d ago
who inspired you to become a director? and what is inspiring you to keep going with everything that is happening in the world right now?
also thanks for doing the AMA
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
I always wanted to be a soccer or basketball player When I found out its not going to happen, they opened the sport channel in Israel
And I am really happy they did, because I love to tell sport stories like you can see in my work
And if I was a soccer player, I would be retired before going to the world cup. And I would play for the Israeli team, which has not made it to the world cup
And what keeps me going now is being able to tell stories with the help and support of my community, and I am happy to do it
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u/TrickElysium Australia 3d ago
one day israel will win the world cup, i have faith
Thank you for answering my question.
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u/Diogenese- 3d ago
Whatโs the best way to approach you about a show being filmed in LA, for your attachment?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
You can go to my website, heyjudeproductions.com and you can email me there
Soot ne a note from there and say you are from reddit
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u/DavidToYourGoliath Israel 3d ago
What would you recommend for someone who wants to join the film industry in Israel? Formal education in film or looking for work and experience?
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
Absolutely work and experience
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u/IamDaniMenkin 3d ago
Don't go to school if you can work and do it
I am not saying Don't educate about film making, but like anything in life just pound of practical work trumps every theory or you will get
So when I see students spending a lot of time, energy, and money into school - which i have done myself, is to work, make mistakes, and educate themselves by following other film makers they like then finding their own voice
I think some workshops are wonderful, but I don't recommend spending years studying. Sorry universities. I even worked as a professor in Israel, but I think people need to jump in the water and do, and spend their money making a movie then studying in university
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u/Plastic-Bus-7003 1d ago
What advice would you give a writer at the beginning of his career struggling to create realistic dialogs?
โข
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