Itzik Kol (; January 12, 1932 – July 8, 2007) was an Israeli television and film producer considered by many to be a pioneer and originator of Israeli cinema. He died following complications from pneumonia.
Biography
Yitchak Kolker (later Itzik Kol) was born in Petach Tikva, Mandatory Palestine, the only child of Tova Rosset, a Polish immigrant, and Shalom Kolker, a Ukrainian immigrant who worked as a union organizer and fought for Palestinian-Israeli rights. As a child, Kol trained to be a classical violinist at the urging of his mother. Despite noticeable talent, his interests shifted to politics and socialism during his adolescence and young adulthood when he became a prominent leader in the Israeli youth movement, Hashomer Hatzair. He was one of the founders Kibbutz Nachshon. There he married Noemi Glass and officially changed his last name from Kolker to Kol. They had two children: Ayelet Kol Engelman (born 1953) and Shahar Kol (born 1956). Kol left Kibbutz Nachshon in 1960.
In 1982, he divorced Noemi and married his second wife, Hadassa Degani, in 1991. They adopted a daughter two years later, Gabriella Kol (born 1993). In 1991–1994, Kol lived in Mount Olympus, Los Angeles, California. In 2002, he divorced Hadassa and married his third wife, a Colombian interior designer, Sarita Shalev in 2004.
In the last three years of his life, he was involved in the production of herbal remedies for Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD), one of which he actively promoted in the media.
Film and theater career
In 1960 coproduced the film, "They Were Ten" directed by Baruch Dinar. In 1960-1967 he was General Manager of the Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv. During this period the theater achieved national and international recognition, including invitations to perform in Paris, London and Montreal.
1967-1978 President of Herzliya Studios where he produced critically acclaimed TV shows, such as: "Lul" with Uri Zohar and Arik Einstein, "That is my secret" with Uri Zohar, "Nine square" with Tuvia Tzafir, "That's it" and "Play it" with Dudu Topaz, "Take it or leave it" with Dudo Dotan. All these shows were awarded the "David's Harp" awards, the Israeli equivalent of the "Emmy".
1978-1983 President of United Studios where he initiated and planned the merging of Herzliya Studios with Berke-Pathe-Humphries Studios into one company. Under his leadership the company became the industry leader in film and TV production in Israel as well as satellite broadcasting throughout the world.
1983-1991 President of G.G. Israel Studios where he devised and developed the foundation of the Neve Ilan Communications Center near Jerusalem. The complex includes vast stages and various other studios for film TV and video production.
In 1997, he made "Hachaverim Shel Barney" (החברים של ברני, "Barney's Friends"), an Israeli co-production based on Barney & Friends. Kol's daughter loved the character of the purple dinosaur, which inspired him to pursue the rights to produce an Israeli adaptation of the show. He approached Lyrick Studios in 1995, but was initially turned down, told that he was only allowed to air a Hebrew dubbed version of the original series. He felt that "putting Hebrew words in American kids' mouths" wouldn't work. Realizing that Sheryl Leach and her father-in-law, Richard Leach, were devout Christians, he asked "Why not have Barney speak in the language of the Bible?" This sealed the deal and, under strict guidelines, the show could be produced. One of these guidelines was that the episodes could only be adapted from those of the American show, with very few script changes. When the agreement went through, the show cost Roll Communications $41,000 per episode to produce (Only $500 per episode went to Lyrick), making it one of the most expensive children's shows produced in Israel.
Kol supervised and executed live satellite broadcasts from Israel (1973–1983) and directed the following live shows: Face The Nation (CBS) Meet The Press (NBC) Issues and Answers (ABC)
Awards and honors
1971: Academy Awards: Best Foreign Language Film - nomination: The Policemen
1971: Golden Globes: Best Foreign Language Film - winner: The Policemen
1972: Monte-Carlo Television Festival: Prix Cino Del Duca - winner: The Policemen 1975: Academy Awards: Best Foreign Language Film - nomination: I Love You Rosa
Kol was an honorary member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.