Just how much do you know about Gil Ofarim? How much do you know him? Here is another interview, and I say, it`s the most detailed one. His answers tell more stories that most of his fans didn`t know or heard of. Let`s read this on, and please bear with me concerning the English translation.
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BR-ONLINE | The online catalog of the Bavarian Radio
Shipment of 23.7.2010, 20.15 clock
(Translated into English via Google Translate)
Gil Ofarim Musician and actor in an interview with Torsten Münchow
Münchow: Welcome to the alpha forum. Today I welcome the actor and - primarily - Musician Gil Ofarim. The first question will likely always put in your life, is the following: As it is, big as the son of Abi Ofarim with such a father to have become?
Ofarim: I do not know. For people who do not know, because with no father have such a background, it's definitely something exciting. For me that is told in Bavarian simple: "Mei, this is the daddy." It is the dad and so good for me. However, one thing I knew early on: My dad is not like the others Papas. But the dad is the dad.
Münchow: What's been different about your dad?
Ofarim: When my brother Tal and picked me up from school, then he was not the geschleimten with the handkerchief and the backward Hair, or the Burberry jacket, but he was the dad with the Boots and long hair. You already at the sound of his Recognized car keys, that now is the daddy.
Münchow: You already mentioned your brother Tal. The name is Gil in Hebrew means "joy" and you were also raised Jewish. What is about Tal?
Ofarim: valley called in Hebrew "morning dew". My mother's ulterior motive to this name was - at least as far as I know - the following: Prior to my birth it was very difficult for her because the doctor said to my mother
was that she could not possibly have children. But was eventually Gil then just because that was a great joy for my parents. You have searched by name, and they have long argued about it because they favored different name. When I was there, they have sometime in the name of "Joy", the meaning of the Old Gil
Testament - agreed. The birth of Tal was even more difficult than that of me, because he was born with a brain fever. Was then he called "morning dew".
Münchow: You're following in the footsteps of your father's early. It was also at Father, that you have very soon opted for the music? How did it to?
Ofarim: music was at our home course ubiquitous. So there were very many Plates with which I could handle and I knew very early age of three, how the needle of the record player to the plate must bring. Also were friends of Papa, the musicians frequently or artists were visiting us and there was always somewhere a tool around on the ground, with which one could do something. I can not imagine what would have happened to me if my daddy dentist would be. The mere thought is crazy for me, but I do not think I would then also dentist. I think in any case that it and perhaps even a little has actually rubbed off on me a lot.
Münchow: In the newly published biography of your father titled "Light and Shadow "I have also brought a photograph is printed, that the Contributes Caption: "Gil knew early on what he wanted and how." I believe that I have to show that just once. This is virtually the music. In this book there is also a lot of stories, for example about the Time in which you together with your father in a Schwabinger WG have lived. How is it actually happened that the twelve year old son left the mother to go to the Father?
Ofarim: A breakup is always hard for the children. When me and my brother there was always a clear distinction: He was more of the Mummy Young as I was the dad-boy. In the separation I wanted then just for Dad and I lived with him. When I reached puberty and time began, where you talked about certain things and more experienced and has done together, it was very cool on the one hand, live together with his father and do everything together. Onto the other hand, it was also very difficult because he was a few years
my manager was. That was exhausting, helpful and instructive, sometimes but also just exhausting.
Münchow: Papa So as a manager and as a dad. They're relatively early in the Discovered street from a headhunter called the magazine "Bravo" Service. So it is for sure in the biography of your father. Then appeared a photo love story in the "Bravo" and began a Big fuss about the person Gil Ofarim. How did that happen?
Ofarim: I was on my way home from school and ran to the subway, I was approached by a talent scout for the "Bravo". He asked me if I would imagine to participate in a photo love story. School friends of mine had done this once already. You get a Super pocket money, are in the "Bravo" and find the girls in school you class, so I thought to myself: "Yes, I will." Before I went there, I told the father of it, and he wanted come naturally: "Gil, maybe it's better if I go with him and take care. Then you get the role in any case. "Do not know why, But for me, it was clear that I had to go there alone. I was it simply disconnect: The dad is the dad and I am. I'm so alone gone, still got the role, and then it went off. Originally I had there actually a supporting role, but due to the Fan Mail and the positive response has been rewritten and the role of Starring converted. It was totally crazy: On the one hand had I still go to school, but in the afternoon I was of picked up a bus to get to the photo ops. You are then any marketplace and teens suddenly go past you and say, "Look, that's so and so!" At the beginning of the course is great, but eventually you realize that it's too damn hard work. So it was getting more and more crazy. At the end of the photo- Love Story I had a private "Bravo" cover with my photo them, and before you even knew my real name, because I was only Tobi from the photo love story. I've also during Photo of Love Story played a musician and was always with the guitar
road and had a band in the story. So the idea was of course near to look, if the boy actually can do something. We then recorded a single which came in the top 100, and we got very quickly a record deal. One thing led to another.
Münchow: From the book of your father also shows that you 31 gold Have records, of which many also from Asia come. So you were with three different titles and with 15 years ranked 1, 2 and 3 in the Japanese and Chinese charts. How are the young man, the student or the child Gil Ofarim react when he gets off the plane and the crowd screams?
Ofarim: At the beginning of a dream for you is of course true. Even in retrospect, the still the best thing that ever happened to me, and it was also the best School for me. On the one hand it's great, but on the other side it is a lot of work and very stressful. I do not know why it works for me went so well in the Asian market. On something I was very proud: it was there is not, as in Germany or Europe, first to the face with a
Story first and then the music. Here we had already the PR and you then said: "Yes, of course due to the 'Bravo' the boy is just where he. being. "In Asia, there was no" Bravo ", but there simply was the single
out, which had published the record company in Asia. Without that I had ever been on site or promotion would have done, went the single to number 1 Then I flew for the first time there and Then came before me at times like Michael Jackson. I'll never forget I first arrived in Bangkok at the airport. They had to throughout the terminal block, because there were 10,000 people. There were Girls who had come from anywhere there to just have a look at catch. It was just absolutely amazing. The consequence is then, of course, that you can hardly still at home and barely brunette Has friends, because one works only. The tag looks like this: You get up by 7 clock, have breakfast somewhere between the hotel lobby and Conference hall, lunch, there is then maybe the bus. Then you have evening or late-night show up at 0.30 or 1 clock, so you then just sleep only four or five hours. The next morning we all the madness all over again. As all this started, I was 14, I was 17 and then they're really sick. But the contracts yes must be met, which is why we continue to make anyway.
Münchow: you have started with the music and still make music. But they also play many well-known TV films as among other "The Flood", which was a popular song a few years ago. As it is for Gil Ofarim, if he's acting and making music? What do you like prefer? This is stupid question naturally arises very often, but still:
You might love the acting but more or you want both connect with each other?
Ofarim: The music was in me since I can remember. My father always says that I did when I was little, at parties and celebrations was always the one in the Middle was and wanted to show what he can, and then danced, sung or anything else did. Music was, as I said, already always there, but the acting came through much later and more a chance to do so. For me acting is a great art and I say quite honestly that I neither play nor a training Have training spokesperson. Nevertheless, it makes a lot of fun and it excites me very well. I was allowed to play already in really good films, have great respect for it and would like to watch movies in the future making. There are really great actors in Germany, and if I am lucky again to get a role, I would like to do. But I feel the music well, whereas the Acting for me, although it has a certain charm, even if I would not seriously call yourself as an actor. Since there are, as told people that much better and make the much longer. Before which I really respect. Making music, I know that I can.
Münchow: We will also show in a moment. Yes they have a new group founded: After "Zoo Army" Now you have your new band "eight". It but I want more detail later. Me - and our viewers certainly - like other aspects of the life of Father Abi and son Gil. In the book of your father, there are some very funny Stories and including your expensive guitar with the Father. The You have to actually tell myself.
Ofarim: I must have been about three or four years old at the time. So exactly I can not remember it, but my parents told me the story that way. I had at this time a small ukulele because I always wanted to play guitar, but a real guitar not even lift let alone play. Dad had an outrageously expensive Acoustic guitar. I do not even know what make it was, but she was pretty as a picture. Eventually I came to him from the living room
and said, "Dad, I've seen something on TV and can now Play guitar! "My father, proud as he was, gave me his guitar, which he umhatte the moment. What I had seen on television, was "Tommy" by The Who and it was probably struck me as the guys there smash the guitar, and I thought to myself: "Well, I can do that."
So I took the guitar of my father and destroyed it.
Münchow: How many years do you have in common with your father in Schwabing spent?
Ofarim: I am, as I said, pulled by twelve to my dad. We are then incredibly moved often: First we moved towards free man, later We lived in Laim at the other end of Munich, until we eventually directly went to the Munich Schwabing freedom. There, I feel me as if I was finally arrived, as if exactly my area was. No matter how many times I then moved yet, I always came back back to Schwabing and especially at the Münchner Freiheit. There we have perhaps lived four or five years and then Bogenhausen drawn. Eventually I went into my first Apartment pulled that really was back at Münchner Freiheit.
Münchow: you have your music, especially in the Asian region with great success played. Your brother Tal then already in your band or how did it to work with him?
Ofarim: It started when the video for our first single "Round and Round" decency. We needed some sequences from a tape to a Stage. Then it happened very quickly: I had two friends who unfortunately had no time and I therefore turn to a friend of theirs mediated. So I already had a guitarist in the band. One Drummer and was about Kurt Kress, a friend of my dad's one of the most famous drummers in Germany, found his son Lauro, also a great drummer, so did the band. We had but still no bass player. Tal had always played bass and so it was obvious that he also joined them. The crazy thing the whole story is that I thought at the time - I was 14 - very young to have been. But my brother is indeed another two years younger than
I am. He has been through this rigmarole so with twelve. I 'll never forget when we had our first gig, which in the Olympiahalle the 6-day race was held in Munich. We were totally excited and nervous. Someone from the local administration department came to us and said, "Good day please Passes." He then said that we
are young and therefore not likely to the stage. I only know that my dad said: "Children, please go get out of the room!" The door closed behind the door and there was a huge noise and clamor, and anything has also fallen. I can still remember that the guy from the KVR eventually came out again and said, "Ok, that's fine." Then but we were allowed to play in the Olympic Hall, although only a part of us was twelve years old.
Münchow: So it went so wrong. This band was then already Zoo Army?
Ofarim: no. I try to separate it somehow. I do not like when people have a stereotyped thinking, but I have now partially own accepted. So for me there is a drawer called "Gil, the teen-Star. "That's what I did in 14 years until I was 19 or 20 years old. This was followed by a pause. I then my first record on their own produced and written everything myself, because I also do not label has said what I should sing. There is for me the drawer "Gil Ofarim". I thought the age of 20: "So now you are an adult and you can also call Ofarim." This I have done for two years. After that, Hard Rock band Zoo Army, I was together with Tal I founded. Tal was not more of the bass in the background, but all four in the same band had much to say. We have
then made two or three years and brought an album Entitled "507" out. This was a great record and we have then then in three years played two or three tours with over 150 gigs. But after that I wanted to do something different. I come from the Rock music was always in my heart, but I just wanted something something else, something I had never done before. I was then the great good fortune for the animated film "Meet the Robinsons" of to be allowed to sing on the soundtrack of Disney, in the original English Rufus Wainwright, a great singer and artist who has sung. For his songs were so sought the German voice and an acquaintance
from me, the producer Ralf Weigand, called and asked if I could make. At first I thought, "Oh, I've never been to German sung, that's a bit affig and uncool. "It was the opposite the case: I went there, had sung the title and it has I really liked - so good in fact that I was six months later for a other Disney film sang a German song. Sometime I sat down with my best friend Oswin, with I for over 15 years, so during my teen
time to write music together. We planned to bring up something new, and started to write new songs. The idea came up to form a band. But I wanted to sing in German only when Oswin would also be in the band. He is a great guitarist and was earlier also my guitar teacher. Mitgehangen, caught together: Now we have
together the band "Acht".
Münchow: "Acht" starting in August with a new record, although of course a CD.
Ofarim: The time the record is unfortunately over.
Münchow: I have recently been a release of the band "The Prince" follows, who received a record on vinyl, because they say that the crackling and rattling actually entails. So here we have a brand new promotional copy of the new CD of "Acht". We want to briefly the title "Still" listen you sing in German. (The Song of
the CD recorded)
Münchow: You say that you are now also a songwriter and your own text Write
Ofarim: Yes.
Münchow: What are those issues? What awaits us in "Acht"? What does it for Gil Ofarim, who came from the English hard rock scene in the he "Zoo Army" was with his former band, with "Acht" now in German
to sing?
Ofarim: I have also previously my texts, to which I attach great importance, always written himself. For me it's just important to set myself apart. I do not mean me as something better than any other musician represent. For God's sake! There are great songwriters, lyricists, Poet and musician. But for me it was important to create something of their own. I also had the feeling that in Germany, little emphasis on English
Texts was laid. That was just a song that you do not really understood. In "Acht" it was important to me that the lyrics are perfect, that they have a weight and are not 08/15-Texte. Such texts Namely, unfortunately, very often sung, although, as I said, also in Germany are great artists. I did it myself but not have expected, let alone write in German. A very good friend Oswin, fortunately, is a poet and writer and with her we have worked out the lyrics. I'm just proud and happy this to have these two songs co-written and play can.
Münchow: What makes German texts other than English? Her lyrics are of course different from that of Roland Kaiser, Udo Lindenberg, Herbert Grönemeyer or Marius Müller-Westernhagen. What is the appeal of your texts, what topics you have chosen and why?
Ofarim: I think that we have not chosen the texts, but they came - as stupid as it may sound - a sort of spiritual Way to us. It is about their own experiences, there are things you which one sees or imagines. The plate is indeed "Imagine". To us it was important to inform us lyrically no limits and no fixed To have policies. We just wanted to write about what you think or feels. It's not about, wanted a positive message convey, though it ultimately is already really like this: When talking about the box looks, it always goes any further. Who may know that better than my dad with all its ups and downs, the he's been through and who I've also seen some? One but has also done his own experiences and I believe that it always goes on, no matter what may happen. For example, if this in the studio dropped a lamp and breaks my leg, then the Leg just broken, but tomorrow it's still on. The only completely simple example. Represent this view of things, we were in any case important. In Germany there are great artists such as Herbert Grönemeyer, the mad Texts. His way of writing is just great. It was important that our texts are not too banal and that we can not explain exactly what it is. Not "I sitting here, the glass of water and take a sip "or" I just change me "or" I want to be different now. "We have the somewhat circumscribed. So we said, "I have changed my colors" instead of "I've changed." So I'm just happy that I could write such lyrics and could sing.
Münchow: As for the Father Abi Ofarim comes clear with the success of the Son? Is there jealousy or competition? He supports you, he is to you a Art pioneer? How does the in-house Ofarim?
Ofarim: There is not a competition with us. The contrary, it would it, you're there for each other and support him also, as far as it goes. But we do not always hold together our face into the camera and say "we are the Ofarim that Ofarim that Ofarim". If we are on a Events, we can not say to the photographer: "No. You must not make two pictures of us together!" In this Cases, yielding to the simple. But we try, as I said, to Disconnect: My father has his way, my brother Tal has his way I have my way. Yet however much we help one another. I knew of some events which my dad in his book has mentioned anything. Earlier - that is, before we children with music started - it has over us as "the children of Abi" written. When I started my own career as a musician had, it was said: "This is the father of Gil." Today my father is happy that it not more so, but there was a real competition between never us.
Münchow: Sometimes you come on together with your father. As your father to Example, in his book "Light and Shadow" went on tour, were certain cities also his sons with it, then the encores played. So they came up with the benefit of three Ofarim, jointly stage were.
Ofarim: Tal usually plays in the band of my father and supported him there, by singing the backing vocals or accompanied on the guitar. I do the rather rare, but of course I was on the last two Events that had my dad in Munich. There is this song from the movie "Midnight Cowboy" with the title "Everybody's Talkin ', which
was the first song he taught us little Steppkes. When today plays this song, which has already happened twice, then it itches as in the fingers that I'm running right away me on stage with him sing this song together. I do not know if that bothers him, but I do not think so. This is for the press, of course, a godsend, because
you can say: "Since we have the family back to a photo!" Why but it is not me, but rather to music together
making. We often make it at home or at my music because the us Music connects easily.
Münchow: Is your father Abi Ofarim, a critic for you? He was, as I said, some years your manager. As it is, if the father of the same Manager?
Ofarim: This is difficult because you can not separate. If you go, then it is clear that this is now the manager. At that time I still usual with him, and when one is eventually returned home, then you can not just switch off and say, "Ok, now remain of Manager and the artist outside the door and we are at home dad and son. "That does not work so there is then just conflicts Discussions and disagreements. The manager sees to it
a certain way, whereas the artist sees it quite differently and vice versa, so there will be much Zoff. From a certain Age is also still to this cord clamping process. So I wanted to eventually move out of the home, did not understand what my father has. Dad is yes southerners and comes from Israel. Family is so family
and if it were to make, then it would be best that the grandchildren parents, grandparents and great-grandparents together in an apartment live. But that is unimaginable for me, I could not and I will that too. My father could not understand at the beginning. Positive but that for every action there is a reaction. So always creates something positive and it's all somehow on. If I did not go out and professional paths have separated, to work with other people and gain new experiences, then my dad would, I believe, not today again music making. He has almost 27 years, made pause, so actually throughout my life. But after I had moved out and professionally went his own way, my dad again making music started.
Münchow: It is also apparent from the biography of your father that he is, after They had come into the world, between diapers and career wanted or needed to decide. After his time with the famous duo Esther and Abi Ofarim he came back then back to number 1 in the German charts with his solo album, "Much Too Much". How was the for you as a son?
Ofarim: For me it is difficult to understand because it will be different for me probably will. Maybe I can also understand if I myself sometime Papa am. But was it really so that the plate the same year went to number one, where I was born. He had great deals on concert tours and television shows, the high Salaries were introduced and they then - according to my mother - also 've really needed. Dad wanted to, not because he preferred to Sitting at home, changing diapers and in the truest sense of the Word to piss off me.
Münchow: (laughs) So you probably are also called "joy", because it is this Joy probably would not let taking. They are also common in Israel. Are Also a devout Jew?
Ofarim: I went to a Jewish school, speak Hebrew, and can Read Hebrew. Put it this way: I feel close to Judaism, but I really do not think too much of religion. I am a believer and believe that there is up there is a higher power and that there is a system but I do not believe in these religions, we know that. It is matter to which it is in each case, and also because I would not significant. So I think that there is someone up there, but I really think absolutely nothing of his deputies and his ground staff down here.
Münchow: do you do with your band "Acht" yes currently a restart. The texts are, as I said, different. Are you as a political person, place With politics in Germany apart, so that what is on the Happened road? Yes you mentioned previously that your texts on the pulse time progressed.
Ofarim: Yes, but we are not really political. I have a political opinion, but I will not reveal here, and I do not even other people press on any stamp. Lyrically we are in "Acht" is not "anti-" and always against it. I'm more of a man, is for something, and I think that it is now much more difficult to open To be able to say yes. Saying no is easy, but to say Yes much more difficult because that brings with it the consequence, this responsible, that is something. That is something that is very today Few people do. Our texts are indeed not my work Past, but they act but from what I made of it have. It's partly to experience the life of my Oswin bandmates, with whom I wrote the entire plate and have produced together with Corni Bartels in Munich. Probably says that every artist on his record coming out now, and he want to apply for, but personally for me it just has hand and foot and I'm just happy because I think it is the best thing I ever 've made.
Münchow: I am now once again a little jump into acting. With What movie has actually started with you? As one has the Gil Ofarim young talent discovered?
Ofarim: That was quite simple. It was this call from the casting agency asked if I could imagine it for a movie for Pro7 audition. It was about a teen comedy and it would actually Everything was right. I flew to Berlin to this casting had but no idea whether I can or not. I just had the lyrics learned by heart, what I really can not, I forget sometimes even my own lyrics on stage. I have been there so auditioned and played something, what has actually worked. I Although can not say of myself that I would have been great, so I could say: "I would like to thank the academy." But I was very satisfied, because I had done that, what was required of me
was. The people of the Agency were still excited and called a Week later with me, to tell me, "You got the part!" That was it and then I started with the actors.
Münchow: How is the movie called?
Ofarim: He was called "Endlich sex." It's about a girl who apparently their class is the only one who is still a virgin. These are but Reality all the other girls too, but it is clear that on the Schoolyard all others have bragged about her alleged experiences. The title is a little daunting, but the movie was cool. When he was sent, he had a very good audience. I knew myself so not out, but I do remember that the sender very enthusiastic was. Then it went on and I got several calls from various casting agencies, directors and producers. I was the great fortune to be able to turn "The storm surge" for RTL, a film in I had a really big role. This two-parter was one of the most expensive television productions that has ever existed in Germany,
and I thought to myself, "What are you doing here anyway You're standing next to idols? George, Heiner Lauterbach, Benno Fürmann and Nadja Uhl. Madness! How come you're into here "Then I gave myself the answer: "Ok, apparently you did something right. Make it so just the same as the last film and snap up what you want from the big Hollywood actors mitbekommst. "So I've imagined that I would be the guy from the script, and asked me how this feel and how he would react. That was all, and it has work. Nevertheless, I say: In Germany there are actors who can you really call it that and there are those who work hard that they can. I know exactly which group I belong: I 'm not set, solid actor in Germany, but perhaps will I that someday. I just do what I think is right, and otherwise it gives directions.
Münchow: The filming of "The Flood" w ere indeed really hard, as I read have.
Ofarim: Oh yes.
Münchow: I shall say nothing, but simply tell you. It went into this film all about the storm surge of Hamburg in 1962.
Ofarim: This was back in Hamburg really a very big tragedy. The dikes are broken. The weather bureau had indeed warned, but it has the simply paid no attention and thought, "Oh, that's already past. We have so often here in the north tower. "But it was actually a really hard storm. As it was always: Filming for as a movie you can not just make a paddling pool. Therefore, a proper city in the largest German outdoor swimming pool, in Food was built. So we are then in November up to seven hours been a day in freezing temperatures in the water. That was really harsh conditions, but we think of the goal and is not alone. With so a lot more people are turning so present as the Actor on camera: all other people on the set were also in the water and have just been afflicted. It was about the goal of a to make good movie. I had the great honor to receive this role, and so I thought, "Do your best and do not moan!"
Münchow: Your father also writes in his book about a situation that I very funny place. The story, which is titled "charisma", describes him as a womanizer. What was it you did when you lived together and the women in your home each other's jack in the hand have given?
Ofarim: My father loves this story and told me they like to give me say, "You know, boy, so and so works das" When I was about 16 years old and was between my first two albums a few weeks off had I experienced this: I was in Munich and it was summer and Dad again began to assume that because he was not among people for years gone. The "Womanizer" as he calls himself, and how it also significant other, had again begun to exude the charm and came up really to the taste. One morning happened Next, I go into the kitchen, where a naked woman is. I say "Hello," go back to my room and think to myself: "Ok, that was now embarrassing. "Eventually, the wife leaves the house and my father comes out of the bedroom. Lunch comes another woman, he with the go away, and at night he comes back with yet another At home. This workload is already respectable! Eventually, I thought, I would have to ask him again how that is. My story is not as inflated as his, but I asked him, "Dad, how do you do that? You are not just the youngest and slimmest and you 're not a multi-millionaire. "He always tells me with great pride that he had told me: "Boy, do you know what is charisma?" I have him then laughed at, but I still do not know how he does it. He is now 72, but until today there is still so when I go to dinner with him in Munich or do something else, I go with him to a store and independently of women of all ages on their tables and say, "Abi, Schatzi!" and give him kisses.
Münchow: One last question at the end of the broadcast. How important to you is as Actually Israel Jew? Are your roots in this country or rather in Germany? They're often at your relatives in Israel.
Ofarim: For German Jews, it's still a difficult situation. When one was born in Germany, then you are - even without reference to the Second World War - always "the Jew". It's just not a German. Me all this does not matter: I am German, I am a Jew, I am a believer and not a believer, I'm Israeli - it's just shit. I am a People just like everyone else. In Israel, I am but again the German, because I was not born there and was not in the military. Israel is but also important to me and my family lives there. I have many years spent my childhood there and love the country and the people. I love the women, the food and the beach. I also think that this Jews Country is our home for us. If you are in the story Looking back, one sees that Jews have always been persecuted or not were welcome. That is why Israel, a country that is smaller than Bavaria, now our home. It is for me, without in politics or religion think, my home, because I grew up there.
Münchow: At the end of our mission, we now listen to the track "Still" from the new CD of your band "Acht". The music is your true home. Thank you, that you were in my mission. (Gil Ofarim plays and sings the song "Still")
© Bayerischer Rundfunk
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Download the PDF copy of the German version of this interview at : http://www.br.de/fernsehen/br-alpha/sendungen/alpha-forum/gil-ofarim-gespraech100.html
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