The Women's Balcony

March 10, 2018 at Golden Bough Playhouse, Carmel

6:30 p.m. Premium Reception, 7:30 p.m. Film, Panel Discussion Following Film with Rabbi Leah Novick & Joyce Antler.

 

Drama / Israel / 2016

Director: Emil Ben-Shimon

Running Time: 96 minutes

Hebrew with English subtitles

 

About The Film

 

What begins as a joyous celebration turns into disaster, when a women’s balcony at an Orthodox synagogue collapses during a bar mitzvah party, injuring a number of people and leaving the senior rabbi in a state of shock. Stepping in to assume authority in the face of crisis, the young and charismatic Rabbi David (Avraham Aviv Alush) first appears as a savior. His fundamentalist ways soon divide the close-knit Sephardic congregation along gender lines, as the self-righteous interloper insists that the accident is a divine warning against female nonconformity. A battle of the sexes ensues, threatening to tear apart families and friends, including husband-and-wife congregational stalwarts Zion and Ettie (IgalNaor and EvelinHagoel, who lead a fine ensemble cast).

 

Infused with genuine characters and big-hearted humor, first-time filmmaker Emil Ben-Shimon and screenwriter ShlomitNechama fashion a compassionate portrait of modern Orthodoxy, where a rebellious and progressive spirit rekindles unity and love. Nominated for five Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor and Actress (Avraham Aviv Alush and OrnaBanai).