Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Ushpizin (2004) [PG]

This is a lovely movie from Israel. A down-to-earth and folksy film about a childless Orthodox Jewish couple with financial problems celebrating the Sukkoth holiday. As the husband tries to find a etrog (a "fruit of the beautiful tree" (see the movie poster)) that is perfect, and material to build a sukkoth (sort of a hut) that they need for the holiday, the couple is presented with house guests. Ushpizin is Hebrew for "holy guests."

A fairy tale of answered prayers (how wonderfully they pray!) mixed with, and brought about by a series of misadventures, misunderstandings, reconciliations and even small miracles. A heart-warming movie with titles, which offers a rare view of the Orthodox Jewish community.

The characters are charming, even the crooks, and you can easily identify with their plights. The couple are married in real life. Shuli Rand, who plays the husband, wrote the screenplay with the approval of his Rabbi. This is the first movie made by members of the Israeli ultra-Orthodox community in collaboration with secular filmmakers.

Whether you are religious or not, you will be touched by this movie.

DIRECTOR: Giddi Dar.  CAST: Shuli Rand, Michal Bat-Sheva, Shaul Mizrahi, Ilan Ganani, Avraham Abutboul, Yopathan Danino, Daniel Dyan.

AWARDS: 1 win & 2 nominations.

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