Israeli actress Lital Luzon is one of an international array of actors who stars in the soon-to-be-released, award-winning, mystery-drama Anno 2020. However, the multi-talented, 37-year-old, Jewish entertainer is unique in that she also holds the rank of Senior Sergeant Major in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and has recently completed a three-month tour of duty combatting Hezbollah insurgents on the Lebanese border.
Lital Luzon…on duty with her Special Forces unit.
Luzon was one of many Israelis directly impacted by Hamas’s incursion into southern Israel from Gaza on October 7. The bloody events of that fateful day saw her called up to rejoin her IDF Army combat squad in northern Israel – her squad being the elite Oketz unit whose members work with dogs and whose responsibilities include recovering missing, captured and sometimes deceased Israelis from combat zones.
As part of the IDF’s Reserve Force, she remains on call for such emergencies.
Speaking from her home in Tel Aviv, Luzon whose two siblings (a brother and a sister) also serve as soldiers, would not provide specifics on her unit’s missions on the Lebanese border other than to say the region is a real hotspot.
“There’s more going on there than people are aware,” she confides. “Much of what’s happening is unreported or underreported.”
Haifa-born Luzon says she began her mandatory military training with the IDF as an 18-year-old.
“Eighteen was, and to this day still is, the age able-bodied Israelis must commit to military training. It’s normally a fulltime, three-year commitment for males and only two years for females unless they (females) try out for acceptance into the IDF’s Special Forces.”
She was one of 10 females who tried out for the Special Forces that year, and she was one of only three or four who qualified. It was a commitment that changed her life in innumerable ways.
“I had my heart set on a career as a professional football player,” she says. “I was a member of Israel’s champion schoolgirl’s team at the time, and we competed for the World Soccer Championship for Schools in China.”
Luzon says she realised a three-year commitment to qualifying for the Special Forces would put paid to any professional football plans. That commitment continues with her having to commit to one month’s military service every year as well as being on call for longer service in conflicts such as the present one.
“I wanted to give something back to Israel. I had, and still have, vivid memories of being afraid with the constant threat of enemy incursions and missiles hanging over us. I often witnessed the bravery of my parents and other citizens, hence my desire to give back.”
Football is but one of many talents this impressive lady happens to possess – acting, singing, acrobatics, dancing and screenwriting being among the others with acting being to the fore.
Lital Luzon…the actress.
After completing her military training, she studied acting for three years, first at Israel’s Nissan Nativ Acting Studio where she was awarded a major scholarship, and then at the Ruth Dytches Acting School where she learned the art of acting in front of a camera.
Luzon’s acting credits include numerous theatre, television, and feature film appearances, most recently her role in the Australian-produced movie Anno 2020. Helmed by New Zealand director James Morcan, Anno 2020 sees Luzon playing opposite Sydney-based actor Gil Ben-Moshe in a moving portrayal of an Israeli separated from her former Australian lover in the Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020.
The film boasts an award-winning ensemble of international actors. Other cast members include leading Australians Greg Poppleton (Backtrack, The Chronicles of Narnia) and Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D), US veterans Kevin Scott Allen (Star Trek, Alias, Prison Break) and Sheila Ball (Assault on VA-33), and Shanghai-born actress Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers, Staycation).
Anno 2020 will celebrate its world premiere in Sydney on April 7. This red-carpet event follows the movie’s recent success in film festivals – most notably the Titan International Film Festival’s ‘Best Experimental Film’ award, in Sydney last month, Quarter-Finalist status in the Best Film category at the International British Film Festival 2023 in London as well as an official selection in the Symbiotic Film Festival in Ukraine.
For Ben-Moshe, who is also a lead producer of the movie, playing opposite Luzon was a highlight of his acting career.
“Every now and then you meet someone who is special and memorable for a number of reasons,” he says. “For me personally, Lital was that person. From the moment we interviewed her, it was clear to all of us that she was a great find. She added a calm on set, making the experience an absolute pleasure for everyone fortunate enough to work with her.”
Anno 2020 producer Gil Ben-Moshe…on set.
Ben-Moshe’s sentiments are echoed by the film’s Sydney-based director James Morcan.
“Casting Lital was a no-brainer,” says Morcan who made his directorial debut on Anno 2020. “She’s a generous actress who always sets out to deliver great scenes and not just a great individual performance. On set, her sweet demeanour was complemented by her professionalism and indisputable talent, and I look forward to working with her again.”
James Morcan…makes his directorial debut on Anno 2020.
The New Zealand director, who adapted the Anno 2020 screenplay from his published novel of the same name, is also an actor and he goes totally against character to play the role of a staunch anti-Semite and Holocaust denier opposite Ben-Moshe.
For Luzon, she says this movie was, for her, a wonderful, mind-blowing experience, but also quite surreal.
“I’m used to being surrounded by cast and crew members onset. However, because this was filmed at the height of the lockdowns, I was literally alone with much of my dialogue being delivered via Zoom footage. It took me out of my comfort zone. That said, James was so professional and patient. He helped me become a better actor.”
In the here and now, she is co-writing a television series about her IDF experience and is also involved in a new TV network series on how to survive the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Regarding Israel’s future, she remains hopeful amidst the turmoil.
“All Israelis want peace,” she insists. “We pray for a speedy end to the hostilities, and I personally look forward to the day when everyone in the region lives together in harmony regardless of race, religion and nationality.”
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Lital Luzon also features in this IDF recruitment video: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2uUcGmtAjq/
YouTube link for Anno 2020 the movie: https://www.youtube.com/@ANNO2020TheMovie
Anno 2020 film industry site link: Anno 2020 (2024) | Drama, Mystery
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Morcan Books & Films 