Erik Esckilsen

If Erik Esckilsen misses hearing the Muslim prayer call drifting on the sultry air over Jerusalem, it's probably because he's in a theater at the Jerusalem Cinematheque, taking in a movie as part of the 25th annual Jerusalem International Film Festival.

The Champlain College writing professor is conducting research for a course that he'll teach in 2009 titled "Make Films, Not War: Political Cinema in Israel, Palestine, and Iran."

On his 10-day posting, he's seeking out filmmakers, journalists, scholars, and film promoters to help him better understand the role that film can play in telling dramatic tales of war, peace, and the unique quality of life in this storied region. This trip is also a kind of teaching pilgrimage for Erik, as he taught at the College's satellite campus in Tel Aviv in the summers of 2000 and 2001. The world has changed in profound ways since then, but peace in the Middle East sadly has not been one of them. The news headlines tell part of that story. Films widen the range of perspectives. As many films screening in Jerusalem this year testify, the medium is a vital outlet for expressing challenging visions of this ever-challenged part of the world.