Ismach Hatani
Directed by:
Emil Ben-ShimonCinematography:
Ziv BerkovichCast:
Itzik Cohen, Evelin Hagoel, Igal Naor, Haim Zanati, Avraham Aviv Alush, Yafit Asulin, Herzl Tobey, Assaf Ben-Shimon, Einat SarufPlots(1)
A close-knit congregation fractures along gender lines after a catastrophe at their synagogue in this nicely observed, feel-good feminist film. Beginning with a bar mitzvah and culminating with a wedding, the story centers on a community of lively and relaxed Sephardic Jews who enjoy coming together as a community and revere their elderly spiritual leader, Rabbi Menashe. But when the titular balcony collapses during a bar mitzvah the rabbi's wife is severely injured. The rabbi, already in poor health, can't cope with the disaster. Lacking a place of worship as well as the services of an ordained religious leader, the men of the congregation are thrilled when the charismatic, ultra-orthodox seminarian Rabbi David helps them make a minyan. But Rabbi David's rigid style of religious observation doesn't sit so well with their wives. (Palm Springs International Film Festival)
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Reviews (1)
I watched this film and I had the feeling that it was basically only made for the Jewish community, which may find it quite funny. It's nice that it's quite well made, but it just didn't do anything for me and it didn't say anything to me. When the film ended, I was sure this was something I would never remember.
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