Fill the Void

The film is a credible probe into the life of the Orthodox Jewish community in Israel, which is unsurprising given that the author is a part of it and intimately knows and identifies with the fundamentalist mindset. However, I don't blame her for the insufficient distance from the subject matter. The problem lies in the way it is presented. I categorize the film as noble festival tedium, which has a chance to captivate a limited group of club cinema enthusiasts. Regular viewers will likely find the film tiresome and I wouldn't be surprised if they subjectively perceived its duration as twice as long as in reality. Yes, the actress portraying Shira looks delicate and undeniably charming, and the Jewish community environment is exotic and interesting. Fortunately, there are titles that can reveal the world of the Orthodox more attractively. We don't have to look far, the director's film Wedding Plan is fresher, more likable, and has a realistic chance of appealing to a broader audience. Overall impression: 40%. (05/03/2021)