History in the Script
The Dayan family are forced to leave one country after another due to Father's scams, but they also find themselves caught up in the turbulent tides of history. Here are some of the historical events in the story:
1. World War 2
The Dayan family are kicked out of France in 1937, only a few years before the country is invaded during the Second World War, when French police catch wind of Father's scheme of placing illegal gambling tables in Parisian taverns. The family, who are Jewish, move to Turkey and Syria during this turbulent period, managing to avoid the dangers of the war.
1. World War 2
The Dayan family are kicked out of France in 1937, only a few years before the country is invaded during the Second World War, when French police catch wind of Father's scheme of placing illegal gambling tables in Parisian taverns. The family, who are Jewish, move to Turkey and Syria during this turbulent period, managing to avoid the dangers of the war.
2. The Arab Uprising in British-controlled Palestine
In 1945 the Dayan family move to the Arab city of Jaffa in British-controlled Palestine. However, in 1947 the United Nations adopt a resolution and plan to partition the country into two states - one for the Jews and one for the Arabs. The British accept this and make plans to withdraw. The Arabs don't. A civil war breaks out between Arabs and Jews all over the country, including in Jaffa, and the Dayans suddenly find themselves in the middle of a warzone.
In 1945 the Dayan family move to the Arab city of Jaffa in British-controlled Palestine. However, in 1947 the United Nations adopt a resolution and plan to partition the country into two states - one for the Jews and one for the Arabs. The British accept this and make plans to withdraw. The Arabs don't. A civil war breaks out between Arabs and Jews all over the country, including in Jaffa, and the Dayans suddenly find themselves in the middle of a warzone.
3. Israel's Independence and its Early Years
Following the U.N. resolution, the British announce their plans to withdraw from the region. On the 14th of May, 1948, David Ben Gurion announces the declaration of Israel as an independent state, and the brand-new nation celebrates. However, immediately following the declaration, five Arab armies invade the country. The Dayans are caught up in the middle of this, hunkering down in bunkers as Egyptian warplanes invade Tel Aviv. Following the War of Independence, the new nation begins to find its feet, with new ventures such as the national lottery program (Father worked as a lottery ticket salesman).
Following the U.N. resolution, the British announce their plans to withdraw from the region. On the 14th of May, 1948, David Ben Gurion announces the declaration of Israel as an independent state, and the brand-new nation celebrates. However, immediately following the declaration, five Arab armies invade the country. The Dayans are caught up in the middle of this, hunkering down in bunkers as Egyptian warplanes invade Tel Aviv. Following the War of Independence, the new nation begins to find its feet, with new ventures such as the national lottery program (Father worked as a lottery ticket salesman).
4. The Algerian Revolution
Algeria had been under French occupation and rule since 1830. In November 1954, Algerian Moslems, emboldened by the French defeat in Vietnam, issued a proclamation calling for an independent state. The Front de Libération Nationale (FLN) launched attacks throughout the country. This was the beginning of an eight-year-long war, culminating in 1962. The Dayans were caught up in the middle of this in 1954 and 1955, with the two oldest daughters, Lea and Etty, moving back to Israel not long after the beginning of the Algerian rebellion.
Algeria had been under French occupation and rule since 1830. In November 1954, Algerian Moslems, emboldened by the French defeat in Vietnam, issued a proclamation calling for an independent state. The Front de Libération Nationale (FLN) launched attacks throughout the country. This was the beginning of an eight-year-long war, culminating in 1962. The Dayans were caught up in the middle of this in 1954 and 1955, with the two oldest daughters, Lea and Etty, moving back to Israel not long after the beginning of the Algerian rebellion.
5. JFK's Funeral
Following the break-up of the Dayan family in the Dominican Republic, Raymond settles into his new life in America, while Father continues as a travelling salesman throughout Central and South America and Spain. Father, an avid investor, keeps pace with world events, including American politics. One such event is depicted in the script - the funeral for John F. Kennedy at Arlington.
Following the break-up of the Dayan family in the Dominican Republic, Raymond settles into his new life in America, while Father continues as a travelling salesman throughout Central and South America and Spain. Father, an avid investor, keeps pace with world events, including American politics. One such event is depicted in the script - the funeral for John F. Kennedy at Arlington.