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CHAMPAIGN -- Co-director/cinematographer Andrew Young admitted after his new documentary "Disturbing the Peace" was shown Friday at Ebertfest that he had felt anxious and fearful every time he traveled to the Mideast to shoot it.
But when he returned from the region, one of the most conflicted in the world, he felt elevated and hopeful because of the work being done by Combatants for Peace, the subjects of his and co-director Stephen Apkon's documentary.
The group is made up of members of elite Israeli forces and Palestinians, many of whom fought the Israelis and spent time in prison. Feeling personal transformations and ultimately concluding violence begets more violence, they began working together toward peace.
"They have jobs and family but are tireless and staying with this even when beaten down by their societies," Young said during the post-screening discussion at the Virginia Theatre.
It was the first public showing of the new documentary, brought here by Chaz Ebert. She had seen it at a special screening in New York in March. She was so moved, she wanted to bring it to Ebertfest and to give Apkon and Young the first Roger Ebert Humanitarian Award.
The documentary, the fifth movie of the festival's 12-film lineup, received the most sustained applause so far at the 18th Ebertfest.
And the filmmakers -- Apkon, Young and story consultant Marcina Hale and two of their subjects -- Israeli Chen Alon and Palestinian Sulaiman Khatib -- received a standing ovation as they came on stage.
Ebert...