Ushpizin – Israel – Dir: Gidi
Dar – 4/5
(This is the review I did when I saw
the film at the 2005 Sydney Film Festival.)
This is a very moving film, and the subject is extremely
unusual.
Normally it could not be filmed, but the filmmaker has been able to
pull it off with the co-operation of some of the ultra-Orthodox Jews of
Jerusalem.
The wife talks to God as if He is a husband. Both their
relationships with God and with each other are very touching.
Especially touching is a scene where the husband and wife both pray
together & their prayer is answered.
Nice colloquial subtitles. Often funny: ‘So they aren't the Holy
Ushpizin.’
Often profound: ‘Don't get angry,’ says the Rabbi. ‘God save us from
anger. You
are nothing. I am nothing.’
‘There is only God.’
Beautifully & eloquently simple.