DIRECTOR: ORIT FOUKS ROTEM
STARRING: DANA IVGY, ASEEL FARHAT, KHAWLAH HAG-DEBSY
RUNNING TIME: 1 HR 31 MINUTES
Eight women, Arab and Jewish, take part in a video workshop hosted by Rona, a young filmmaker. With each camera take, the group dynamic forces the women to challenge their beliefs as they get to know one another.
STARRING: DANA IVGY, ASEEL FARHAT, KHAWLAH HAG-DEBSY
RUNNING TIME: 1 HR 31 MINUTES
Eight women, Arab and Jewish, take part in a video workshop hosted by Rona, a young filmmaker. With each camera take, the group dynamic forces the women to challenge their beliefs as they get to know one another.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“I’m glad that at least I saw it.”
The big winner at the Ophir Awards, the Israeli Academy of Film and Television, was Cinema Sabaya, directed by Orit Fouks Rotem. The film is about eight women, both Arab and Jewish, who take part in a video workshop which is led by Rona, an aspiring filmmaker. The workshop is held at the Center for Social Equality, and each week these eight women will take part in exercises to challenge themselves, to open up, and to expand their creativity.
We are introduced to these eight women right at the start of the film. They talk about their lives, their professions, if they’re married and/or have kids. They talk about their dreams, like being an actress, being a singer, being a grandmother, owning a house, or simply getting a driver’s license. Rona’s dream is to make films that will have an impact on people, that are important and good.
Their first assignment is to simply film their home. And each assignment after that will push these women further.
Orit Fouks Rotem has created a contemplative, self-reflective film where topics like wearing a hijab, or suicide bombings, or confronting one’s husband is discussed. It’s not easy to develop one original character, let alone ten. Every one of these remarkable women have their own unique stories to tell. Each little assignment that they complete allows the viewer to get a further glimpse into their lives. It’ll draw you in as you want to find out more about each and every one of them. This film will make you laugh and it’ll make you cry.
Sabaya means a group of young women. And this film is a celebration of that. It is about the power of cinema and what it can bring out in each of us. Cinema brings out our humanity. And Orit Fouks Rotem has created a commanding, confident, exceptional cinema sabaya.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“I’m glad that at least I saw it.”
The big winner at the Ophir Awards, the Israeli Academy of Film and Television, was Cinema Sabaya, directed by Orit Fouks Rotem. The film is about eight women, both Arab and Jewish, who take part in a video workshop which is led by Rona, an aspiring filmmaker. The workshop is held at the Center for Social Equality, and each week these eight women will take part in exercises to challenge themselves, to open up, and to expand their creativity.
We are introduced to these eight women right at the start of the film. They talk about their lives, their professions, if they’re married and/or have kids. They talk about their dreams, like being an actress, being a singer, being a grandmother, owning a house, or simply getting a driver’s license. Rona’s dream is to make films that will have an impact on people, that are important and good.
Their first assignment is to simply film their home. And each assignment after that will push these women further.
Orit Fouks Rotem has created a contemplative, self-reflective film where topics like wearing a hijab, or suicide bombings, or confronting one’s husband is discussed. It’s not easy to develop one original character, let alone ten. Every one of these remarkable women have their own unique stories to tell. Each little assignment that they complete allows the viewer to get a further glimpse into their lives. It’ll draw you in as you want to find out more about each and every one of them. This film will make you laugh and it’ll make you cry.
Sabaya means a group of young women. And this film is a celebration of that. It is about the power of cinema and what it can bring out in each of us. Cinema brings out our humanity. And Orit Fouks Rotem has created a commanding, confident, exceptional cinema sabaya.
