Itzik Kol

Itzik Kol (aka Itzhak Kol, Yitzhak Kol) was an Israeli television and movie producer.

He was born in Petah Tikva circa 1932 and died from complications of pneumonia on July 8 2007 in Kfar Saba.

Itzik Kol was an Israeli film and television producer and director. Considered by many to be a pioneer and originator of Isreali cinema, Itzik is famed for creating a “Hollywood in the Middle East” with such cult classics as Banana Peel (1990), Save the Lifeguard (1975) and Peeping Toms (1972). He is recognized as having a profound influence on contemporary Israeli culture and film and for imbuing the Hebrew lexicon with many slang phrases such as “Play it.”

In a career that spans almost five decades, Itzik’s films and television shows touched many themes and genres. During the 1970s, Itzik wrote and produced comedies and dramatic comedies such as "Halehaka" which are now considered cult classics. Several of his films in this genre, particularly Save the Lifeguard, are often seen as the archetype of Israeli filmmaking. Two of his films won him international acclaim and were nominated for an Academy Award for Foreign Film: The Policeman (1970) and I Love You, Rosa (1972). In the 1980s and 1990s, Itzik produced and co-produced a diverse array of films and TV shows: Children’s Fantasy, such as Puss in Boots (1988) starring Christopher Walken and Jason Connery; Adventure Dramas, such as Blink of an Eye (1992); Reality Comedies, such as Avodah B’Eynaim (aka Tongue in Cheek, 1989); and, Dramas, such as Not Without My Daughter (1990) starring Sally Fields.

Biography

Itzik was born in Petach Tikva, Israel, the only child of Tova Rosset, a Polish immigrant, and Shalom Kolker, an Ukrainian immigrant who worked as a union organizer and fought for Arab-Israeli rights. As a child, Itzik trained to be a classical violinist at the urging of his mother. Despite noticeable talent, his interests shifted to politics and socialism during his adolescence and young adulthood when he became a prominent leader in the Israeli youth movement, Hashomer Hatzair. His idealism and pioneering spirit led him, along with others, to found and establish Kibbutz Nachshon, a collective community based on an agricultural economy. There, Itzik married Noemi Glass and officially changed his last name from Kolker to Kol as a mark of independence. They bore two children: Ayelet Kol Engelman (b. 1953) and Shahar Kol (b. 1956). Itzik left Kibbutz Nachshon in 1960.

Itzik resided in Israel throughout his life, except for a 4 year period (1991-1994) when he lived in North Hollywood, California. In 1982, Itzik divorced Noemi Kol and married his second wife, Hadassa Degani, in 1991. They adopted a daughter that same year, Gabriela Kol (b. 1991). In 2002, Itzik divorced Hadassa and married his third wife, a Columbian interior designer, Sarita Shalev in 2004.

In the last three years of his life, Itzik was involved in the production of herbal remedies designed to treat children with Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD). He was instrumental in bringing one particular herbal remedy to the public market and actively promoted its effectiveness via print, radio, and television.

Career 1960-1967 General Manager of the Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv. During this period the theater achieved national and international recognition, including invitations to perform on stage in Paris, London and Montreal. 1967-1978 President of Hertzliya Studios where he produced critically acclaimed TV shows, such as: "Lul" with Uri Zohar and Arik Einshtein, "That is my secret" with Uri Zohar, "Nine square" with Tuvia Tzafir, "That's it" with Dudu Topaz, "Play it" with Dudu Topaz, "Take it or leave it" with Dudo Dotan. All these shows were awarded the "David's Harp" awards, the Israeli equivalent of the "Emmy". 1978-1983 President of United Studios where he initiated and planned the merging of Hertzliya Studios with Berke-Pathe-Humphries Studios into one company. Under his leadership, the company became the industry leader in film and TV production in Israel as well as satellite broadcasting throughout the world. 1983-1991 President of G.G Israel Studios where he devised and developed the foundation of the Neve Ilan Communications Center near Jerusalem. The complex includes vast stages and various other studios for film TV and video production.

Itzik supervised and executed live satellite broadcasts from Israel (1973-1983) and directed the following live shows:Face The Nation (CBS)Meet The Press (NBC)Issues and Answers (ABC) Awards and Honors

1971: Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences nominee for Best Foreign Film "The Policemen".1971: Winner, Golden Globe award - "The Policeman".1972: Winner, Prix Cino Del Duca - "The Policeman" Monte Carlo's International Television Festival.1975: Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Film" I Love You Rosa".Itzik was a honorary member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

Films List of features in which Itzik functioned in one of the following capacities: executive producer, co-producer, line producer, associate producer.

Feature films (Israeli productions):

Face ItBanana PeelsForced WitnessWhat a CountryTwo Heart BeatsThe TroupeHersheleThe House in Shloush StreetKatz and KarassoThe Great StealThe Fox in the Chicken CoopI Love You RosaThe PolicemanSave the LifeguardBig EyesPeeping TomsLost ChildThe Boy From Beyond the Street Feature films (international productions): Not Without My DaughterHuman ShieldLemon PopsicleA Man Called SargeDelta Force 3Hannah's WarAppointment With DeathRambo 3Beauty and The BeastThe Frog PrincePuss in BootsThe Emperor's New ClothesLittle Red RidingHansel and GretelSnow WhiteThe Sleeping BeautyThe AmbassadorAmerica 3000Lemon Popsicle 6 Influence

Many Israeli actors, directors, and producers have praised Itzik Kol and cited both his work and persona as being influential in their own careers:Avi Nesher, a producer and one of Israel’s leading directors (Halehaka, Dizengof 99, Shovrim, Sof Haolam Smola) said about Itzik Kol: "I remember him as having a sharp sense of humor; he was a funny man with a great love of film and of culture. I owe Itzik a lot for my career. Without his confidence in me as a young producer in the movie Halehaka, none of my later doings would not have happened. I was a young, frightened 24-year-old director, and he was the executive director of Herzliya Studios, who produced many of Uri Zohar's films and TV shows. Today, being a producer myself, I can say that his decision to work with a young director such as myself was very courageous. Undoubtedly he is the one who made the film possible. His contribution in this respect was huge."

In a memorial evening held for Itzik Kol in Tel Aviv`s Cinemateque on August 2008 Nesher added that cinema students do not always realize Kol`s huge contribution to contemporary Israeli film industry: “All those quality movies that win prestigious international prizes in late years, could not have been made at all if it wasn’t for Itzik Kol`s contribution and the immortal path he paved in the Israeli qualitative cinematography.” Nesher kept on describing Kol as the only “ultimate true producer” who is constantly involved in any and every aspect of the film, from casting, through directing and taking care of the needs of the cast, to paying attention to every detail in editing and beyond.

“Prass Israel” winner, actress and director Gila Almagor (Salach Shabati, Hachayim al pi Agfa, Hakayitz shel Avia, Spielberg`s Munich), who hosted Itzik Kol’s memorial evening and worked with him since his days as general manager of the Cameri Theater, said at the occasion that aside for Kol`s huge contribution to Israeli culture, he will be remembered for his unique persona. She described him as being a true friend who cares about people he works with, and as having a special sense of wit and humor.

"Kol was a great man, literally and figuratively, in girth and in spirit” said producer Shlomo Paz, who first met Itzik Kol when they both belonged to Hashomer Hatzair youth movement. “He knew how to take things and do them. He had daring; he had incredible reserves of energy, but mostly he was smart and did the right things." "There is no part of the industry he didn't touch. He made films and television shows, worked with the greatest artists and even helped found international commercial television station during the 1970s and 1980s."

Television host and actor Dudu Topaz describes Kol as his mentor and his spiritual father: “He was the first to give me a chance as a TV host on the show Sachek Ota, which brought us winning the Kinor David prize. He was the one to give Uri Zohar, Tuvia Tafir, myself and many others first chance in show biz. Along the years we have done many TV hit shows together such as Sachek Ota, Tze Mize, Ze Ma Yesh and Ten Kav. He was one of a kind!”

Producer and television host Meni Peer who worked with Kol both in Israeli Television’s Arutz 1 and Arutz 2, on shows like Mimeni Meni, Besha’a Tova and Siba LeMesiba said: “The word producer is too dull to describe Itzik Kol`s doings. He was the real creator of cinema and television in Israel. He was always involved with every aspect of the production. This man just knew and loved the stage!”.

External links

*imdb name|name=Itzik Kol|id=0463818
* [http://www.jewishculturela.org/category/film/ Jewish Culture]