This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to interview Yonatan Nir, the co-writer and co-director of the new film Dolphin Boy.

Seventeen year old Morad Azba’s innocent text message to a female classmate in an Arab village in the North of Israel triggers a brutal beating at the hands of the girl’s brother and his friends. Unable to speak, recognize his family, or make eye contact, Morad’s post trauma symptoms are so severe that his Israeli doctor, world renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Ilan Kutz, recommends further treatment in an institution. But Morad’s father Asad cannot bring himself to limit Morad’s freedom and asks Dr. Kutz if there’s another option. There is one alternative, albeit unconventional—Dolphin therapy in Eilat’s Dolphin Reef — contact with the Dolphins might help restore Morad’s broken life. Morad’s father sells and mortgages everything he can, including his beautiful land in Northern Israel, and accompanies his son on this riveting journey. Filmed over the course of Morad’s four year therapy, the award winning DOLPHIN BOY is a profound confirmation of the healing power of nature, patience and unconditional love—and a most under-reported and inspiring story about the relationship between Israel’s Arabs and Israel’s Jews. You can learn more at www.dolphinboyfilm.com.