A new beautiful Israeli film currently playing, is called "Fill The Void" and in truth, that it does for both the characters and the audience. It is a moving depiction of how a close knit family deals with a tragedy, expressed in the context of the Israeli Chassidic framework. The family and especially the main character, 18 year old Shira, is completely content within the community, albeit with the limits and restrictions the tradition requires. There is no sense of rebellion, no indication of a desire to live outside this framework. Rather, Shira who is of marriageable age, shows her determination to find a mate who will give her the "real family", one where there are " no lies" as she tells a prospective match on their first (and only) encounter.
Because Shira's older sister, Esther, who is 9 months pregnant, suddenly dies, the idea occurs to her mother that Shira would be the perfect new wife for the newly widowed Yochay. The movie explores, with great sensitivity, the many facets of this possibility.
The characters, who are played to perfection, all have their own "voids" to fill and with her screenplay, scriptwriter/director, Rama Burshtein, guides them in finding each of their answers. There is the older single girl, and Shira's parents, there is the matchmaker, and the disabled maiden aunt. We meet the Rabbi who is the very approachable leader of his community and his various congregants who feel comfortable discussing their true feelings without being judged. We are given an insight into the beauty of their lifestyle as well as a glimpse of each one's particular challenges and how they deal with them.
Both Shira and Yochay struggle with their personal confusions and challenges as they ultimately come to the decision that will shape the rest of their lives. Suffice it to say that each character's void is filled in a way that leaves the audience both moved and satisfied.
Because Shira's older sister, Esther, who is 9 months pregnant, suddenly dies, the idea occurs to her mother that Shira would be the perfect new wife for the newly widowed Yochay. The movie explores, with great sensitivity, the many facets of this possibility.
The characters, who are played to perfection, all have their own "voids" to fill and with her screenplay, scriptwriter/director, Rama Burshtein, guides them in finding each of their answers. There is the older single girl, and Shira's parents, there is the matchmaker, and the disabled maiden aunt. We meet the Rabbi who is the very approachable leader of his community and his various congregants who feel comfortable discussing their true feelings without being judged. We are given an insight into the beauty of their lifestyle as well as a glimpse of each one's particular challenges and how they deal with them.
Both Shira and Yochay struggle with their personal confusions and challenges as they ultimately come to the decision that will shape the rest of their lives. Suffice it to say that each character's void is filled in a way that leaves the audience both moved and satisfied.