The Women's Balcony (Ismach Hatani)
Women
Resist Replacement Rabbi's Repressive Rules in Delightful Tale of
Female Empowerment
A bar
mitzvah is in full swing at an Orthodox temple in Jerusalem when the
balcony designated for women worshipers suddenly gives way. Once the
dust settles, the attendees discover to their horror that the
collapse has left the wife of the rabbi in a coma, and her
inconsolable husband (Abraham Celektar) in a state of shock.
As the
days roll by, it becomes clear that neither Rabbi Menashe nor the
Mussyof Synagogue will be back to normal anytime soon. With the
building closed pending renovations, the congregation is initially
grateful to find a temporary home out of town. However, its distant
location makes it impossible to assemble a minyan, the quorum of 10
required to stage a religious service.
A
savior seemingly arrives in David (Avraham
Aviv Alush), a young rabbi who is not only willing to host services
nearby but to supervise the synagogue's restoration project. Trouble
is, he is also an ardent advocate of an ultra-orthodox philosophy,
and it isn't long before he attempts to implement his patriarchal
interpretation of the scriptures.
First,
he directs the women to exhibit more modesty by always covering their
heads with a scarf. Next, he announces that the temple's balcony will
not be repaired after all and that they will have to pray in a
different room from the men for now on, as dictated by ancient
tradition.
None
of this news sits well with the tight-knit ladies of Mussyof who
immediately mount a rebellion. Taking a page out of Aristophanes'
2,500 year-old classic, Lysistrata, as well as from Spike Lee's
latest "joint," Chi-Raq, they conspire to withhold sex
until their hubbies come to their senses.
All
of the above plays out in hilarious fashion in The Women's Balcony, a
delightful tale of female empowerment directed by Emil Ben-Shiron.
The picture was already a hit over in Israel where it landed five of
that country's Academy Award nominations. Kudos, too, to Menemsha
Films' Neil Friedman who has an uncanny knack at acquiring charming
sleepers likely to be a hit with art house aficionados, a la
Dough, The Rape of Europa, Beauty in Trouble and The Life and Times
of Hank Greenberg, to name a few.
.
Don't
miss Menemsha's latest jewel, a comical clash of
outlooks, pitting a self-assured sisterhood against a bewildered,
backwards brotherhood.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
In Hebrew with subtitles
Running time: 96 minutes
Production Studio: Pie Films
Distributor: Menemsha Films
To see a trailer for The Women's Balcony, visit:
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