Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem

(Gett)

In select theaters
February 13^th 2015

115 minutes

Hebrew
French
Arabic

France
Israel
Germany

An Israeli woman (Ronit Elkabetz, of LATE MARRIAGE, THE BAND’S VISIT) seeking to finalize a divorce (gett) from her estranged husband finds herself effectively put on trial by her country’s religious marriage laws, in this powerhouse courtroom drama from sibling directors Shlomi and Ronit Elkabetz. In Israel, there is neither civil marriage nor civil divorce; only Orthodox rabbis can legalize a union or its dissolution, which is only possible with the husband’s full consent. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Viviane Amsalem has been applying for a divorce for three years but her religiously devout husband Elisha (Simon Abkarian of CASINO ROYALE and PERSEPOLIS), continually refuses. His cold intransigence, Viviane’s determination to fight for her freedom, and the ambiguous role of the rabbinical judges shape a procedure where tragedy vies with absurdity and everything is brought out into the open for judgment. Winner of the Israeli Film Academy Ophir Award for Best Picture, GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM is an uncompromising , heart-rending portrait of a woman’s struggle to overcome an unmoving patriarchy and live a life of her own design.

starring...

Viviane

Ronit Elkabetz

Elisha

Simon Abkarian

Carmel

Menashe Noy

Shimon

Sasson Gabay

Main Judge

Eli Gorstein

Clerk

Gabi Amrani

Directors

Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz

Screenwriters

Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz

Producers

Marie Masmonteil, Sandrine Brauer, Shlomi Elkabetz

Director of Photography

Jeanne Lapoirie

Co-producers

Denis Carot, Michael Eckelt

Production Manager

Efrat Bigger

75% on the CINEMETER

STL

71% - Feb 22, 2015

Deeply moving. Some of the silent moments were the most powerful. It was not about sex or marriage for her, it was about freedom. For him, it was about power and control.

St. Louis Member

I loved the film. An intense, emotional, and psychologically profound picture of the death of love in a relationship that was besieged by religious, cultural and gender differences.
St. Louis Member

Excellent. Eye opening to see how powerless women are in Israeli courts of legality.

St. Louis Member

Wow! Fantastic. . .best I've seen in a long time. . .a movie that will not be forgotten.
St. Louis Member

Viviane was terrific, captivating. I loved that the entire movie took place in the courtroom, and with so little being said, so much was conveyed about their relationship.
St. Louis Member

MIL

92% - Feb 22, 2015

A story that needs to be shared worldwide. Reminds us in the US not to take for granted our freedoms.
Milwaukee Member

Emotionally challenging subject. Evokes sympathy toward feminist struggle.
Milwaukee Member

ATL

68% - Feb 22, 2015

Intriguing cultural drama. . the substantive human emotions by characters is powerful which makes the film high caliber. Let's have more of this type of cinema!
Atlanta Member

Interesting, compelling insight into the full meaning of Israel as a Jewish state. Did not create prejudice, just understanding. A classic Key Cinema--learn about a different culture other than us and England.
Atlanta Member

Must see for men and women all over the world. Should help them see how religious oppresses women--leads to trafficking, slavery, rape--men of religion are evil with power!!
Atlanta Member

I loved it. What a rich topic, film. Incredible acting.
Atlanta Member

Most powerful I've seen here. The lead actress was amazing as was the entire cast.
Atlanta Member

Outstanding film. Had been told it was long and slow but it felt engaging and compelling at every second.
Atlanta Member

Excruciating. The court was an absurdity. Tragic. Infuriating. The film itself is interestingly put together and shot. So stark. Acting was amazing.
Atlanta Member

78% - Feb 15, 2015

Powerfully acted, beautifully told—and universal in its depiction of women as chattel (and men as fucking idiots).”
San Francisco Member

Taut, compelling, maddening. I couldn’t help but think back to A Separation. Opposing religions, same patriarchy.”
San Francisco Member

I’m just shocked and confused that this is still the way things are done in modern-day Israel—so hard to grasp that the law there could be so antiquated, so unfair, so dismissive of a woman’s rights. I loved the sparseness of the look of the film, the black and white (making the red shirt pop), the intensity of the focus on each face.
San Francisco Member

I liked the symbolism of this movie: All the scenes are set inside the same building, it feels claustrophobic and stuffy just like Viviane feels in her marriage.”
San Francisco Member

Thank god for no-fault divorces. Painfully perfect. Hopefully this movie will bring an end to an archaic, patriarchal system. Yikes!
San Francisco Member

And just when I was starting to feel good about being Jewish again…oh well. Great film, though. And for all the saber-rattling between Israel and Iran, there is a lot of tragic irony in how similar the film is to A Separation.”
San Francisco Member

Divorce on Valentine’s Day! Oh well, we have also had child abuse on Mother’s Day (the Hunt). Both very good films.
San Francisco Member

65% - Feb 22, 2015

I am very pleased that this film was presented to the club. Excellent performances and cinematography. Although the story did not seem interesting from the synopsis, the film was truly engaging and successful in showing the tension, the drama, the gender conflicts. I particularly liked the close-ups.
Greater New Haven Member

Masterful depiction of a trap with no way to “gett” out. Exquisite subtle expressions become a shout for justice. The only power that Viviane has is over the muscles in her face – an amazingly controlled, unforgettable performance.
Greater New Haven Member

A long movie that tells a long story so well that it did not seem long. Well-acted and staged, very compelling.
Greater New Haven Member

An intriguing character study that also works as a look into the marriage customs of another country. Its limited setting creates a claustrophobic feel, and the acting is on a powerhouse level.
Greater New Haven Member

Viviane's hair: a wonderful metaphor for woman's right to freedom. While her face remains mask-like, her hair, shoes, and dress were expressive. Confinement of setting and filming -- lack of motion -- also 'tell' what isn't expressed.
Greater New Haven Member

Excellent, powerful film. Dr. Lubin's presentation was insightful on so many levels. (Note: many praises for Orly Lubin's presentation and responses to questions.)
Greater New Haven Member

On paper, this film looked like a disaster. Two hours, small cast, all dialogue, one setting. But no: it was one of the best in recent years. Great dramatic tension, great performers, subtle storyline that went way beyond a black/white, good guy/bad guy scenario.
Greater New Haven Member

Best movie this season.
Greater New Haven Member

66% - Feb 15, 2015

I feel as if I've been put through a wringer. The pace was slow, but I think the story demands it.
Washington, DC Member

Kafka: "Wow. That was heavy."

Bergman: "No Kidding ."

Herzog: "These people are nuts."

Washington, DC Member

Exquisitely painful - I loved it!
Washington, DC Member

It's a movie that well demonstrates the raw emotion from both principal characters and has an endless chase for a final resolution.
Washington, DC Member

BOS

73% - Mar 1, 2015

1. Wow…did I learn a lot! It is a painful protest tool. I enjoyed it very much and will have lots of questions to continue to understand.
Boston Member

2. Beautifully acted and written and very enlightening.
Boston Member

3. This wonderful film is so important.
Boston Member

4. Powerful and enraging—stunning cinematography that emphasizes the stark black-and-white horror of the situation
Boston Member

1. The intensity and power of the film are impressive. Loved being able to focus on faces.
Boston Member

BOCA

89% - Feb 8, 2015

Best Israeli film ever!
Boca Raton Member

Mezmerizing! I didn't think I'd like it but I did.
Boca Raton Member

Gripping! Held my interest from beginning to end!
Boca Raton Member

Very well acted.
Boca Raton Member

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