Israeli drama scheduled for March 8 screening

“Gett: The Trial of Vivian Amsalem,” a 2014 film featuring some of Israel’s leading actors, will be screened at the Dwares JCC in Providence on March 8, from 6-9 p.m. The movie focuses on Vivian and her struggle to seek a divorce from her husband, which proves to be more challenging than she would expect. The entire movie is set in a court of rabbis, as Israel does not recognize civil marriage.

Viviane Amsalem has been applying for a divorce for three years, but her husband Elisha will not agree. His cold stubbornness, Viviane’s determination to fight for her freedom, and the ambiguous role of the judges, shape a procedure in which tragedy vies with absurdity, and everything is brought out for judgment, apart from the initial request.

The movie includes some of the leading actors in Israeli culture such as the late Ronit Alkabetz (who also wrote and directed the film), Simon Abkarian, Gabi Amrani and Menashe Noy.

The film was selected as the Israeli entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards, but was not nominated. It was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards. It did win best film in 2014 by the Israeli Film Academy and numerous awards at various international festivals.  Variety magazine’s Jay Weissberg praised its “beautifully modulated script, ripe with moments of liberating humor.” The cost is $5; $3 for members of the Dwares JCC.

Refreshments will be available. For more information, contact Tslil Reichman at treichman@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 121.