Bliss, Thurs. May 22, Berney Theatre-Opening Night of the Festival
Feature | Israel | 2024 | Director: Shemi Zarhin | Hebrew, Arabic w/Eng subtitles | 125 minutes
I really enjoyed seeing Bliss, a touching heartwarming 2024 drama nominated for three Israeli academy awards. The film is about a married couple burdened by part time jobs who must confront painful truths. Shemi Zarhin one of Israel’s most renowned novelists and filmmakers shot this film in northern Israel. Israeli veteran actor screen Sasson Gabay stars as Sassi, a an aging man with a good sense of humour who is dealing with the challenge of impotence . His wife while his wife Effi a physical therapist, understands the deep link between body and heart and enjoys the strong emotional bond with her husband . But their relationship is tested with the surprise visit of their teenage grandson Omari, and a young male patient from Effi’s past who rekindles new conflicts in this fragile marriage. .
Zarhin's acclaimed film is rich in insight exploring the complexities of love and discord, and the intertwined lives of the vivid characters make for a thoughtful and humorous look into Israeli society. The chemistry between Effi and Sasi -who are burdened by part time jobs to help pay the debts incurred by Sasi’s son who lives in Brussel-add depth to this highly recommended drama .
The film was shot in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel, where Zarhin grew up. The locations in. It were subsequently bombed and destroyed by Hezbollah missiles fired from southern Lebanon. Zaria told the Hollywood Reporter “All the locations that we filmed in suddenly look different than they were. Most of them were evacuated of people, so they look like Westerns. . A community center with a swimming pool that was a key location in Bliss where Efi works as a physical therapist was entirely destroyed. “You look at your film that you didn’t finish and reality suddenly makes it a record for a land or territory that maybe will never come back to like it was,” Zarhin told the Hollywood Reporter.
Come Closer Friday June 6, 5:30 p.m, Berney Theatre
Documentary/Comedy | Canada | 2025 Directors: Eli Batalion, Jamie Elman | English, Swedish and Yiddish | 76 minutes
Come Closer was Israel’s official selection for the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, and it’s easy to see why. The film explores the universal themes of love, loss, and resilience, with exceptional storytelling and very solid acting. The film was Nominated for 13 Israeli Academy Awards (winning Best Film and Best Director) and has earned acclaim at film festivals world wide. This absorbing drama tells the story of Eden, a young woman who is shattered by the sudden death of her beloved younger brother, Nati. Eden is consumed by grief and wants to find a way to reconnect with him . This occurs when Eden uncovers a secret girlfriend from Nati’s past, which leads her down a path of passion, obsession, and self-discovery.
Eden’s is on intense journey where love blurs the lines between healing and heartbreak. The film portrays a story of self-discovery, and demonstrates how the path to moving forward can require facing the hidden deep parts of ourselves.
This film is the debut of filmmaker Tom Nesher, the daughter of acclaimed Israeli filmmaker Avi Nesher. It is Inspired by Tom Nesher’s personal tragedy—the death of her younger brother, Ari Nesher, six years ago. Come Closer is a powerful testament to the fragility of life and the the love that drives us forward. This is an exquisite film that will keep you engrossed.
