Samuel Maoz

Samuel Maoz is an Israeli film director and screenwriter known for his films Lebanon and Foxtrot.

born 1962The film LebanonThe film FoxtrotGolden Lion at Venice

Born: 23 May 1962, Herzliya
Occupation: film director, screenwriter, production designer, director
Education: Beit Zvi

Samuel Maoz was born in 1962 in Herzliya

Samuel Maoz was born in Herzliya on May 23, 1962. His birth surname was Aziz, and he has two brothers.

He served in the IDF as a tank gunner and fought in the First Lebanon War. During reserve duty in Rafah, a thrown stone hit his eye and shattered the eye socket.

After years of recovery, he studied film at the Beit Zvi school. He began as an art designer, then directed commercials, music videos and short films. He later did the art design for the second season of the thriller series Late Night Stories.

In 2000 he directed the documentary Total Eclipse for the Arte channel. His first feature, Lebanon, drew on his own experience of the war's first day and won the Golden Lion in Venice in 2009. His film Foxtrot, released in 2017, won the Grand Jury Prize in Venice and 8 Ophir Awards.

Milestones in Samuel Maoz's life

1962
Born in Herzliya.
2000
Directed the documentary Total Eclipse for Arte.
2007
Began shooting his first feature film, Lebanon.
2009
Won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for Lebanon.
2010
Received the European Film Award for European Discovery of the Year.
2017
Released Foxtrot, which won the Grand Jury Prize in Venice.

Samuel Maoz served in the military

He served in the IDF as a tank gunner and fought in the First Lebanon War during his regular service. He was later injured in the eye during reserve duty in Rafah.