Search - Ushpizin on DVD

AUTHENTICITY NOT ANTHROPOLOGY

A fan | London UK | 03/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'Ushpizin' has received much well-deserved praise. Attention - however - has tended to concentrate on its 'folkishness' - you know, insights into the previously 'hidden' world of the ultra-orthodox Jews of Jerusalem, kinship to Singer-esque fables etc. Yet, there are a couple of aspects that seem to have been overlooked:



1. The performance of the main charcacter - SHULI RAND - is utterly rivetting. I mean, look at the guy's EYES (they certainly compelled my attention throughout).



2. The film's underlying POINT OF VIEW: a person is obliged to acknowledge G-d for EVERYTHING that comes their way, good or bad, REGARDLESS. And that such acknowledgement is not some sort of distant IDEA but is effectively an ongoing DIALOG with G-d - a dialog in which the individual is neither too proud, nor too embarassed, nor too sophisticated to address G-d in the most personal way. You may think that this has a resemblance to Tevye's outpourings in "Fiddler On The Roof" (think: "If I were a rich man" etc). This resemblance is but superficial. Shuli Rand (the lead actor and scriptwriter of 'Ushpizin') here manages to convey the very essence of his mindset with power, conviction and dignity. He successfully opposes both the demons of his past and his proclivity to ANGER (seen in the Jewish tradition as tantamount to idol-worship) - both potential obstacles to a dialog with G-d.



It is also interesting to contrast this film with another 'expose' of orthodox Jewish life - 'KADDOSH', by noted director Amos Gitai. Gitai's film, while impressive, seems to go in search of the flaws and contradictions of the orthodox Jewish life-style. His is essentially a sceptical and - I feel - politicised view. Gitai puts the viewer into a position where they are forced to EVALUATE or JUDGE this life-style. 'Ushpizin' on the other hand avoids this by concentrating on the underlying motivation that drives a certain kind of Jewish orthodoxy: acknowledgment of the Hand of G-d in all things.



'Ushpizin' is not without it's flaws (what film isn't?). For instance, the way events unfold sometimes makes the script seem a little clunky or theatrical. Also, mixing fable with hard reality is sometimes a little hard to take. But, the power of the film's main theme elevates it and enables it to transcend such considerations. Bravo."

A Tasty Little Film About Tradition - and Other Challenges!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 08/02/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A very strong cast and an excellent production crew brings USHPIZIN into the realm of classics that will endure. The story may be simple but to non-orthodox Jews it is one at times confusing but always fascinating in introducing cultural traditions that are unknown to many of us.



In the case of USHPIZIN that tradition is Succoth, a seven-day holiday honoring the time when the wandering Israelites were surviving in the desert on the way to the Holy Land. Each family must make a succah (a meager temporary shelter) and celebrate with Palm frond dates, myrtle, citron, etc. We are introduced to Rabbi Moshe (Shuli Rand) and his wife Malli (Michal Bat Sheva Rand) who are so poor they cannot afford a succah much less the accoutrements to celebrate Succoth. The both pray for miracles and one comes in the form of cash allowing them a succah etc. But also along come two escaped convicts (Shaul Mizrahi and Ilan Ganani) - one of whom is Moshe's ex-friend from the past, and ask for shelter: the tradition of Succoth includes never turning away guests ('ushzipin'). Naturally Moshe and Malli must take them in and the problems slowly arise, problems that challenge tradition, religion, and personal welfare.



The marriage of music, fine camera work, superb acting, beautiful costume design, and the magic of learning about ethnic traditions make this little film irresistible. Its story may be small but the metaphors are enormous! Highly recommended. In Hebrew with English subtitles. Grady Harp, August 06"