Ushpizin

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Korea seems to be the most progressive in terms of foreign countries getting their films on Blu-ray. I'm sure Israel will show signs at some point, but no news yet. I haven't seen Ushpizin. Actually, I don't like what few Israeli movies I've seen. Amos Gitai is probably the most acclaimed Israeli film maker, and while I can appreciate his work on an artistic level, I have real problems with films like Kippur and Kadosh. I also didn't like Time of Favor. But I can tell there is ever-increasing quality there, so I will keep watching.

I like just about every Israeli film I've seen so far and not just because I lived there. I simply love foreign films. It's refreshing for me to see a film once in a while not made in or connected with main stream MPA Hollywood. That includes independent films too, whether from Hollywood or not.

For Gidi Dar who directed Ushpizin like Gitai in Kadosh it took chutzpah gadol to make films like these because of their subject matter. I lived in Givat Mordechai for a several years while I lived in Jerusalem. It's a mixed community of chareidim (orthodox Jews), non orthodox, and even some secular Jews many of whom are Russian immigrants. Although it's no Meah Shearim, living there you still must abide by a strict set of rules that apply especially b'Shabat and b'yomim kadashim where anything that ignites or causes a spark (all things electrical unless switched on b'erev Shabat) is forbidden just to name a few. It's a different way of life.

Anyway, both those films give the outside world a tiny portal into the daily life of the chareidim, perushim, and chasidim.

Give Ushpizn a chance, if just not for the more humorous side or the story. Maybe Israelis will see the Blu too. I hope so!