An Orthodox Jewish couple's faith is tested after praying to the Lord for a child on the Succoth holiday.
Director:
Gidi Dar (as Giddi Dar)Writer:
Shuli Rand
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Title: Ushpizin (2004)
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1 win & 2 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview: | |||
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Shuli Rand | ... |
Moshe
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Michal Bat-Sheva Rand | ... |
Malli Bellanga
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Shaul Mizrahi | ... |
Eliyahu Scorpio
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Ilan Ganani | ... |
Yossef
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Avraham Abutboul | ... |
Ben Baruch
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Yonathan Danino | ... |
Gabai
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Daniel Dayan | ... |
The Rabbi
(as Rabbi Daniel Dayan)
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Michael Vaigel | ... |
Ethrog Assessor
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Daniel Rand | ... |
Elazar
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Yizhak Levkovits | ... |
Charity
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Shmuel Ovadia | ... |
Wolf
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
In Jerusalem's orthodox neighborhoods, it's Succoth, seven days celebrating life's essentials in a sukkah, a temporary shack of both deprivation and hospitality. A devout couple, Moshe and Mali, married nearly five years and childless, are broke and praying for a miracle. Suddenly, miracles abound: a friend finds Moshe a sukkah he says is abandoned, Moshe is the beneficiary of local charitable fundraising, and two escaped convicts arrive on Moshe and Mali's doorstep in time to be their ushpizin - their guests. The miracles then become trials. Rabbinical advice, absolution, an effort to avoid anger, and a 1000-shekel citron figure in Moshe's dark night of the soul. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Taglines:
When you really need a miracle... See more »Genres:
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Details
Country:
IsraelRelease Date:
25 November 2005 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Goscie See more »Filming Locations:
Jerusalem, IsraelBox Office
Opening Weekend:
$64,423 (USA) (21 October 2005)Gross:
$1,397,999 (USA) (13 January 2006)Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby SRColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Narrator: They worked out of luck, out of hope. And faith was all they had to hang on to. But on this holy week, where guests are considered a blessing, these two unexpected visitors bring with them: a secret from the past. A secret that would test their love and challenge their faith. Now only a miracle will turn their fortune around.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Shuli Rand retired from acting after becoming religious. He returned to acting just to make this film. See more »Quotes
[from trailer]Narrator: They worked out of luck, out of hope. And faith was all they had to hang on to. But on this holy week, where guests are considered a blessing, these two unexpected visitors bring with them: a secret from the past. A secret that would test their love and challenge their faith. Now only a miracle will turn their fortune around.
See more »
Ushpizin is about a "chozer b'tshuva" (recently religious) Jerusalem couple whose faith is tested repeatedly during the Succot holiday. Will their faith hold as the tests get harder and harder? Will G-d send them the miracles they need? Familiar references spring to mind, from the biblical story of Avraham and Sarah, to traditional tales of shtetl life, to the stories of S.Y. Agnon. Yet the contemporary context makes it a highly original work. The film manages to retain and build dramatic tension. It successfully portrays strong emotions including anger, frustration, love, gratitude, and faith without becoming overly sentimental.
The main couple is played by actors who are married in real life and also religious in real life (he wrote the script). Their love, clearly visible, is one of the nicest parts of the story.
The criminals who come to stay as guests during the holiday ("Ushpizin" in Hebrew) are a bit too cartooned at times, but are not all bad.
It's nice to see a Jerusalem that really exists: a place of material poverty but spiritual wealth, home to an imperfect but caring community that finds meaning in the fulfillment of mitzvahs (commandments).