Ushpizin
| Ushpizin | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Gidi Dar |
| Written by | Shuli Rand |
| Produced by | Gidi Dar Rafi Bukai |
| Starring | Shuli Rand Michal Bat-Sheva Rand Shaul Mizrahi Ilan Ganani |
| Music by | Nathaniel Méchaly |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Israel |
| Language | Hebrew |
Ushpizin(Hebrew:האושפיזין,romanized:HaUshpizin,lit. 'The Sukkot guests') is a 2004Israelifilm directed byGidi Darand written byShuli Rand.[1]It starred Rand, and his wife, Michal, who had never acted before.
Plot
[edit]Moshe and Mali Bellanga are an impoverished, childless,Hasidicbaalei teshuva( "returnees to Judaism" ) couple in theBreslovcommunity inJerusalem.After Moshe is passed over for a stipend he expected, they cannot pay their bills, much less prepare for the upcoming Jewish holiday ofSukkot.
Moshe admires a particularly beautifuletrog,orcitron,one of thefour speciesrequired for the holiday observance. They console themselves by recalling a saying ofRabbi Nachman of Breslovthat difficult times are a test of faith. After some anguished prayer, they receive an unexpected monetary gift on the eve of the holiday[2]and Moshe buys the etrog for 1000shekels(approx. $300), a large sum of money that is much more than he can afford.
The couple is visited by a pair of escaped convicts, one of whom knew Moshe in his earlier, non-religious life. The convicts become their guests (ushpizin) in thesukkah,creating many conflicts and straining Moshe and Mali's relationship.
Cast
[edit]- Shuli Randas Moshe Bellanga
- Michal Batsheva Rand as Malli Bellanga
- Shaul Mizrahi as Eliyahu Scorpio
- Ilan Ganani as Yossef
- Avraham Abutbulas Ben Baruch
Locations
[edit]Ushpizin was filmed on location inJerusalem,Israel.[3]While a few scenes were shot inHaredineighbourhoods, most of the film was shot at theSchneller Orphanageand in Jerusalem'sNachlaotneighbourhood. Several streets in Nachlaot feature frequently in the film: Rama Street (where Ben-Baruch meets Moshe and offers him the Sukkah, and where Moshe and Malli part), Zichron Tuvyah (where Moshe's Yeshiva is located) and Tavor Street, while others appear less frequently or even in single shots. The stone buildings of Nachlaot substitute for theShmuel Hanaviarea, though landmarks such as theWolfson Towersand theYad Labanimbuilding reveal the true location.
Soundtrack
[edit]No separate soundtrack has been sold, though two of the main songs— "Ata Kadosh" and "Yesh Rak HaKadosh Baruch Hu" —were later released on an album byAdi Ran.
Release and reception
[edit]The film received mostly positive reviews, and was described as a heart warming tale for the Sukkot holiday. Michal Batsheva Rand's performance won many praises, being her first performance on screen.
The film was a box-office success, becoming one of the most financially successful Israeli movies of 2005. It attracted many religious and Haredi viewers who normally do not go to the cinema.
Following the release,Ushpizinwas ranked byreview aggregatorMetacriticwho gave it 70% out of a 100.[4]Rotten Tomatoesgave the film 94% approval, which was based on 63 reviews. The site's consensus reads: "Ushpizin offers a rare and warmly intimate look into ultra-Orthodox Jewish culture".[5]
Haredi culture
[edit]Rand, for religious/modesty reasons, insisted that his wife, who had never acted before, star opposite him in the film.[6]
The film was not directed at the Haredi film consumer, since Haredim do not go to movie theatres. Nonetheless, it attracted much attention and this led to heavy downloading and infringement of the movie from people who otherwise had no access to see the film. After inquiries from people who had watched unauthorized copies of the film asking how to pay,pashkvilenwere put up in Haredi neighbourhoods. The advertisements told the public of the financial problem that resulted from the file sharing, a reminder of the prohibition against stealing and included apost office boxand telephone number in which to pay with a credit card. Another way to repay the makers of the movie was to call movie theatres, order tickets, and not show up.[7]
Awards and nominations
[edit]The film was nominated for threeOphir Awardsand Shuli Rand won for Best Actor. In his speech, he thanked God and Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. The film was also nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Shaul Mizrahi.
References
[edit]- ^Ushpizin DVD (2005).Oldies.com. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^Ushpizin Synopsis – Plot Summary.Fandango.com (19 October 2005).
- ^Movie Review: Ushpizin – Escaped convicts on Sukkot – Israel Beat – Ben Bresky – Blogs.Israel National News (14 October 2008).
- ^"Ushpizin 2005".Metacritic.Retrieved10 March2021.
- ^"Ushpizin".Rotten Tomatoes.Retrieved10 March2021.
- ^Dov Paris (Fall 2006)."A Conversation with Shuli and Michal Rand"(PDF).Jewish Action.Orthodox Union. pp. 44–49.Retrieved10 March2021.
- ^Ben Haim, Avishai (March 2005).ותודה להשם יתברך(in Hebrew). Nrg.Retrieved10 March2021.
