Kichka: Telling Myself

Kichka: Telling Myself (2026)



קישקה: מספר את עצמי

0.0 2026 67 min —

Director: Gadi Aisen

Cast: Michel Kichka

Documentary
At 67, Michel Kichka had conquered the heights of illustration in Israel and around the globe—only to be pushed out of his position at the Bezalel Academy to make room for fresh talent. A cartoonist by trade, he once captured the Zionist dream in all its hopeful glory: a young, idealistic Belgian volunteer racing to the Yom Kippur War, only to evolve into a grim prophet of collapse. Over time, his satirical drawings traced a steep decline in Israeli values, politics, and how the Holocaust is remembered. Armed with sharp wit, he became a “tough Jerusalemite” wrapped in a Belgian accent—unafraid to speak hard truths to anyone’s face. To heal the emotional scars of being a second-generation survivor, Kichka poured his soul into a graphic novel that exposed his family’s secrets and his father’s painful silence, which led to a tragic unraveling. That deeply personal work later inspired an animated French feature film, created to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive for younger audiences.

More About This Film

Kichka: Telling Myself is a 2026 film that draws its narrative inspiration from the life and work of Michel Kichka, a renowned cartoonist, press artist, and professor at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. Known for his graphic novel "Deuxième génération" (Second Generation), which explores the silenced history between a father and son regarding Holocaust trauma, the movie delves into themes of memory, identity, and intergenerational dialogue. The story follows a protagonist who grapples with the weight of unspoken family histories, mirroring Kichka's real-life role as a 'bundler of memories' who gives lectures worldwide to preserve historical truth.

The production aims to capture the emotional resonance of Kichka's artistic mission, blending documentary elements with dramatic storytelling. By focusing on the act of revelation and the struggle to communicate across generations, the film offers a poignant look at how personal and collective histories are shaped by silence and speech. It serves as both a tribute to Kichka's contributions to peace through art and a universal exploration of familial bonds.

  • Michel Kichka is a member of Cartooning for Peace and has been recognized globally for his work in preserving Holocaust memory through comics.
  • The original graphic novel "Deuxième génération" was published by Dargaud in 2012 and remains a seminal work in the genre of autobiographical comics.
  • Kichka serves as a professor at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, where he influences new generations of artists.
  • The film's title reflects the central theme of self-revelation and the breaking of generational silences.

Where to Watch

Availability may vary by region; check local listings for streaming options.