DAVIDSON FILM CLUB

The Davidson Film Club is screening the Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated Best Foreign Language Film, Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem on Saturday, October 20, at the Armour Street Theatre at 7:00 p.m.

“A microcosm of women victimized by patriarchal institutions worldwide as well as an allegory of the universal struggle for freedom.” Peter Keough, Boston Globe

Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer 100%.

The Israeli film, directed by Ronit and Shlomi Elkabetz in 2014, has a running time of one hour and 55 minutes. It is in Hebrew with English subtitles. It will be presented and discussion led by Rabbi Michael Shields of Temple Kol Tikvah in Davidson.

Refreshments, including snacks, red and white wine, and bottled water, will be made available by the Film Club.

Film Summary:

An Israeli woman seeking to finalize her divorce from her cruel and manipulative husband finds herself effectively put on trial by her country’s religiously-based marriage laws in this riveting drama. In Israel there is neither civil marriage nor civil divorce; only rabbis can legalize a marriage or its dissolution, which is only possible with the husband’s consent. Viviane Ansalem has been applying for a divorce for three years, but her husband Elisha will not agree. His cold intransigence, Viviane’s determination to fight for her freedom, and the ambiguous role of the judges shape a procedure in which tragedy vies with absurdity, and where everything is brought out for judgment, apart from the initial request.

This highly awarded film has 15 wins and 17 nominations: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Israeli Feature, Audience Award.

“Suspenseful, wonderfully acted, emotionally jarring.” John Anderson, Newsday

“Shot in intense close-ups, the better to study the emotions burning off the characters’ skin, the film is all talk and gestures, but it begins to take your breath away like a chase movie would.” Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

“If done right, courtroom dramas can explore any number of hot button issues. As such, “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” is the best one in a long time in not only being a powerful examination of how hard it is for a woman to be granted a divorce in Orthodox Judaism, but also bringing it expertly down to a personal level, as led by a stunning performance from Ronit Elkabetz.” Audience Review

If you are not a Davidson Film Club member, walk-ins ($9, NC Sales tax included) are always welcome, cash or check.  Walk-in students $7. 

Reservations may be made in advance at [email protected], with payment at the door—or just walk in!

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We are a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run by volunteers that only exists to bring you fine international fiction films and engage in stimulating discussion about them.

For more information, contact Alan Singerman, President, Davidson Film Club, [email protected], (704) 892-5264.