31/08/2016 - The American-Israeli director brings her new film Through the Wall to the Venice Film Festival, four years after Fill the Void

Through the Wall by Rama Burshtein

Even though Israel has a smaller presence on the Lido than last year (when Amos Gitai, Hadar Morag and Yaelle Kayam all visited Italy with their films - read the news), the 73^rd Venice Film Festival will still welcome the Middle Eastern country through the much-anticipated return of a beloved director at the gathering. 

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American-Israeli director Rama Burshtein makes a return to the Lido with her new film, Through the Wall (Laavor Et Hakir), after the success of her previous movie, the Golden Lion competitor Fill the Void (Lemale Et Ha’Chalal). This time selected in the Orizzonti section, the film tells the story of 32-year-old Michal, who became religious 12 years ago, but only now is she getting married. A month before the wedding, while scrutinising the catering for the event, the groom has a change of heart and the wedding is called off. Michal feels she’s unable to go back to her ordinary life, to the usual matchmaking activities. She feels this is the moment to change something fundamental in her personality. A simple belief that God is good and sweet; that He wants to give and is only waiting for her to wish it. Michal goes on a month-long journey lasting up to the planned wedding day: “I have the venue, the dress, the apartment; God can easily come up with my groom.”

The film, written by Burshtein herself and starring Noa Koler, Amos Tamam and Oz Zehavi, sees Burshtein revisiting the same topic that earned her actress Hadas Yaron the Volpi Cup for her turn in Fill the Void. The film was again produced by Assaf Amir for Israel’s Norma Productions, and is being sold internationally by The Match Factory. Norma Productions Distribution will release the film in Israel on 27 October.