Marilyn Hall, producer of award-winning television shows and Broadway hits, has produced her first feature film, The Little Traitor, based on the book Panther in the Basement by Amos Oz.

Hall was drawn to the coming-of-age story of Proffy, a 12-year-old living in Palestine in 1947 who befriends a member of the occupying British forces and is branded a traitor  by the Jewish community for consorting with the enemy—hence the film’s title. “The story resonated with me and my father’s life,” Hall said. A Canadian, Hall’s father was in the British occupying army, during the British Mandate of Palestine, in the 49th Royal British Fusiliers.

Hall optioned the book and took it to Lynn Roth, who became the writer/director.

Starring Alfred Molina, the movie was filmed two years ago in Israel during the Lebanese War.

“Alfred was was stalwart during the filming in not responding to all the entreating messages to please come home from all his friends, agents and managers,”  said Hall. “He said, ‘I’ve found the best falafel I ever had; I’m staying.’” Hall was unable to attend the filming, but re- ceived daily dispatches, she said.

Ido Port, who plays Proffy (short for “professor,”), is amazing, Hall says. “He’s already being looked at by major directors in Hollywood; he’s sensational.”

The film also features Rami Heuber-ger, Gilya Stern and the ever-popular Theodore Bikel. “He happened to be in Israel at the time doing a show,” Hall said.  “He’s an old friend and agreed to do the cameo.”

The story that moved Hall, she says, is about a Jewish boy who is caught out after curfew by a British sergeant (Molina as Sgt. Dunlop) who has every right to arrest him. Instead they develop a close relationship. With a cold father, the boy has a need for a fatherly figure in his life. The two exchange ideas about life and teach each other their different cultural ways while puzzling out Hebrew phrases, playing chess or snooker, and talking about life and love.

“In the end, the young boy becomes a famous writer; so I think the book is kind of autobiographical,” Hall said.

With Emmys, Humanitas awards, Peabodys and Tonys for such projects as Do you Remember Love?, a Special Event Movie about Alzheimer’s disease and theater hits like Jelly’s Last Jam and Angels in America, Hall is an experienced producer, yet this is her debut as a film’s executive producer. “I’m very touched by the subject,” Hall said. “At the end of the story the two meet 30 years later in London and grasp each other warmly. I hope the film gets some attention.”

Her role, Hall says, was keeping the option alive and bringing together the money, and approving  creative aspects of the film.

The project, partially funded by Israel Film Fund and private equity, was six years in the making. “We were dealing with the Israeli government. They sent us a budget, but it was in Hebrew; things like that slowed us down.”

The film will play at Laemmle’s Music Hall, 9036 Wilshire Blvd. through the end of next week when it will move to Laemmle’s Fallbrook 7, 6731 Fallbrook Ave. in West Hills.

For more information, visit thelittletraitormovie.com.
—Steve Simmons