45 reviews
"Late Marriage (Hatuna Meuheret)" makes "Monsoon Wedding" seem like a commercial Hollywood flick in comparison in dealing with a similar theme -- families imposing traditional marriage on an adult son in today's world.
This film is an intense and heartbreaking examination of a Georgian Russian immigrant family pushing tradition on an older son in very modern Israel. Through a very gradual unveiling as we learn more and more about each member of the family and relationships, every character is strongly individually wrought, flaws and all, complex sympathies and all.
The blunt scenes demonstrating traditional relationships are paralleled with extremely frank contemporary ones.
I thought at first that the lack of a soundtrack virtually up until the closing scene was due to writer/director Dover Koshashvili's obvious minuscule budget. Instead the closing band music punctuates a bittersweet, ironic tension-builder as the audience waits anxiously to see how the central figure of Zaza/Dooby resolved his unresolvable philosophical, familial and romantic dilemmas amidst very competitive, strong-willed women.
The sub-titles are sub-par; it's awkward, for example, to translate "Shalom" as peace be with you as it's really more just colloquial hello.
(originally written 5/24/2002)
This film is an intense and heartbreaking examination of a Georgian Russian immigrant family pushing tradition on an older son in very modern Israel. Through a very gradual unveiling as we learn more and more about each member of the family and relationships, every character is strongly individually wrought, flaws and all, complex sympathies and all.
The blunt scenes demonstrating traditional relationships are paralleled with extremely frank contemporary ones.
I thought at first that the lack of a soundtrack virtually up until the closing scene was due to writer/director Dover Koshashvili's obvious minuscule budget. Instead the closing band music punctuates a bittersweet, ironic tension-builder as the audience waits anxiously to see how the central figure of Zaza/Dooby resolved his unresolvable philosophical, familial and romantic dilemmas amidst very competitive, strong-willed women.
The sub-titles are sub-par; it's awkward, for example, to translate "Shalom" as peace be with you as it's really more just colloquial hello.
(originally written 5/24/2002)
While I absolutely loved the movie and found it to be both funny and bittersweet, I write here to differ with other displayed comments. The part of the conservative Georgian community shown in this Israeli movie is most certainly NOT matriarchal. The problems that the male protagonist experiences are NOT due to women controlling the society. The reason his family doesn't want to allow him to be with the woman he loves is because it is a *patriarchal* society, where an older, divorced woman with a child -- no matter how loving, intelligent and beautiful -- is viewed through a sexist lens as damaged goods.
Anyone who watches the early scenes where a 17-year-old girl is trotted out as goods for matchmaking purposes and the two male heads of the family control the proceedings, should realize that this is a patriarchal society. Don't be misled by the fact that the professional matchmaker is a woman and that the hero's mother is a firm believer in sexist customs; if some women didn't hold sexist beliefs, sexism wouldn't exist. Note that the 17 year-old's mother is a widow, but her uncle controls the matchmaking decisions instead of her mother. The male protagonist is harmed by *patriarchal* customs, make no mistake. These customs harm both women and men.
Anyone who watches the early scenes where a 17-year-old girl is trotted out as goods for matchmaking purposes and the two male heads of the family control the proceedings, should realize that this is a patriarchal society. Don't be misled by the fact that the professional matchmaker is a woman and that the hero's mother is a firm believer in sexist customs; if some women didn't hold sexist beliefs, sexism wouldn't exist. Note that the 17 year-old's mother is a widow, but her uncle controls the matchmaking decisions instead of her mother. The male protagonist is harmed by *patriarchal* customs, make no mistake. These customs harm both women and men.
Late Marriage is one of the best Israeli films in many years. It is to the credit of director Dover Kashashivili to translate it to the screen into one of the frankest depiction of a love affair seen in recent memory. The director avoids the clichés of other films that pretend to show a sexual relationship between two lovers in a a film. He doesn't leave anything to our imagination as the characters of this story clearly show us.
The two main actors, Lior Ashkenazi, Zaza, and Ronit Elkabetz, the Judith of the story, are mature individuals who obviously feel a passionate love for one another. They're powerless against the wishes of Zaza's family who are hell bent into separating them. Never mind that is very obvious how both feel about each other. She's an older divorcée who obviously will be the ruin of the scholarly Zaza.
Both Mr. Ashkenazy and Ms. Elkabetz could give acting lessons to our repressed so-called movie stars. Their passion is on the surface for us to see and feel. What we really enjoyed was the way these two actors act against each other in what could have been very embarrassing scenes. They pulled it off with panache.
The ensemble cast is very good, but of course, they don't come close to the stars who take the film and run away with it. Let's hope we can see more of them in other Israeli films.
Mazel tov!
The two main actors, Lior Ashkenazi, Zaza, and Ronit Elkabetz, the Judith of the story, are mature individuals who obviously feel a passionate love for one another. They're powerless against the wishes of Zaza's family who are hell bent into separating them. Never mind that is very obvious how both feel about each other. She's an older divorcée who obviously will be the ruin of the scholarly Zaza.
Both Mr. Ashkenazy and Ms. Elkabetz could give acting lessons to our repressed so-called movie stars. Their passion is on the surface for us to see and feel. What we really enjoyed was the way these two actors act against each other in what could have been very embarrassing scenes. They pulled it off with panache.
The ensemble cast is very good, but of course, they don't come close to the stars who take the film and run away with it. Let's hope we can see more of them in other Israeli films.
Mazel tov!
I saw Ronit Elkabetz in The Band's Visit and wanted more. I certainly got more in this movie - much more.
Zaza's (Lior Ashkenazi) parents are trying to get him married and he makes the rounds visiting all the eligible females. However, Zaza only wants Judith (Elkabetz), a divorcée with a child. Why wouldn't he? Even his father admits she is hot - and she truly is! The whole family arrives at her apartment and act like complete jackasses in their effort to split them up. They accomplish their mission in an unexpected manner, and Zaza is forced to marry a woman he does not love to make his parents happy.
That's what happens when you are castrated. How is he going to make grandchildren? Elkabetz was magnificent. I want more!
Zaza's (Lior Ashkenazi) parents are trying to get him married and he makes the rounds visiting all the eligible females. However, Zaza only wants Judith (Elkabetz), a divorcée with a child. Why wouldn't he? Even his father admits she is hot - and she truly is! The whole family arrives at her apartment and act like complete jackasses in their effort to split them up. They accomplish their mission in an unexpected manner, and Zaza is forced to marry a woman he does not love to make his parents happy.
That's what happens when you are castrated. How is he going to make grandchildren? Elkabetz was magnificent. I want more!
- lastliberal
- Feb 3, 2009
- Permalink
I thought this movie achieved two remarkable things: First, it defies conventional categorization. It is a comedy and a family drama and a steamy romance. It manages to transcend geography as well: This could have easily taken place in the US, Italy or any one of a number of countries.
Second, I thought that each scene was surprising and inventive and unexpected. I could not have predicted what was going to happen next, but each successive scene made perfect sense.
I highly recommend this movie to fearless moviegoers who value clever plotting and ingenuity.
Second, I thought that each scene was surprising and inventive and unexpected. I could not have predicted what was going to happen next, but each successive scene made perfect sense.
I highly recommend this movie to fearless moviegoers who value clever plotting and ingenuity.
"Late Marriage" is a dramady out of Israel which tells of a contest between an assertive Georgian-Israeli family trying to arrange their son's marriage and the son, who is a world class pu**y, passively pursuing his desire for independence and a divorcee whom he loves. The film has a big downside which includes its foreignness; a sense of humor so dry it's sometimes difficult to know where the comedy ends and the drama begins; none of the usual frills of major studio films; subtitles; and a story with a less than desirable (to the point of maddening) conclusion. On the upside however, Koshashili shows an uncanny ability to make his characters so believable as to make this little foreign job more engrossing than many bigger, more costly films. For example, the sex scene in this film - probably the best I've seen - is so wonderfully natural that is supports the character's relationship far better than the steamy, sweaty, obliquely lit, heavy breathing we're used to seeing. In the final analysis, however, "Late Marriage" is only for foreign film buffs and folks with an interest in Israeli flicks. (B-)
Absolutely superb film, concise and to the point.
One of the things that I liked the most is how the writer/director, takes an obviously ethnic film and presents it in a way where people around the world can empathize even if they know nothing about the jewish culture or customs.
The emotional themes presented in this film are mostly universal, when it comes to marriage, in my opinion a lot of factors come into play no matter what culture you come from, and this film portrays in some ways how silly it all is.
If you don't mind the subtitles, is a great film, has great characters and a very interesting story line, although is very graphic at times (Steamy love scenes) be forewarned if you don't like to see nudity, is not your conventional hollywood soft porn b movie.
Enjoy the film with friends, it's one of those that makes you ask all the right questions.
One of the things that I liked the most is how the writer/director, takes an obviously ethnic film and presents it in a way where people around the world can empathize even if they know nothing about the jewish culture or customs.
The emotional themes presented in this film are mostly universal, when it comes to marriage, in my opinion a lot of factors come into play no matter what culture you come from, and this film portrays in some ways how silly it all is.
If you don't mind the subtitles, is a great film, has great characters and a very interesting story line, although is very graphic at times (Steamy love scenes) be forewarned if you don't like to see nudity, is not your conventional hollywood soft porn b movie.
Enjoy the film with friends, it's one of those that makes you ask all the right questions.
- iceman4149
- May 14, 2003
- Permalink
One might have thought that arranged marriages are a thing of the past among Israeli Jews. But according to this bittersweet comedy, the tradition is alive and well, at least among the conservative Georgian Jewish community in Israel the movie is set on (director Kashashivili belongs to that community). The protagonist of the movie is Zaza, an unmarried man in his early thirties and graduate student in philosophy (played by the fine actor Lior Ashkenazi, who starred as the brutal Mossad agent in another great Israeli movie, Walk on Water). His concerned family shows him young, attractive, and eligible girls, but he resists them all - since he already has a secret love affair with Judith, a sexually liberated divorced mother. Zaza knows his extended family would never accept Judith; but when they find out, the results are worse than you can imagine. Let just say, quoting one critic, that joining the Foreign Legion is probably preferable than living with such suffocating family. The ending is quite sad, but this is a remarkable film.
Late Marriage is a not an easy film to watch. Although it may appear as an ethnic comedy at first, the film gradually grows to a melancholic drama, focusing on the the main problem of the new generation of Georgian individuals - the dualism between their traditions and between their desires to join the modern society. Zaza (played hillariously by Lior Ashkenzai) reflects this problem well - He is an educated Phd., and yet, he finds it hard to fulfil his desires to marry a girl which is not from his Georgian tribe, for he knows the complications to come, and knows that he will fail in coping with them.
Late Marriage is an excellent drama, which touches the very-exposed nurvs of the Georgians, yet handles delicately the matter within. You should not miss it.
Late Marriage is an excellent drama, which touches the very-exposed nurvs of the Georgians, yet handles delicately the matter within. You should not miss it.
This is the first full time feature of Dover Koshashvili, an Israeli director of Geogian origin who made only one film since then, and now has two other films in production. I love his work (although not perfect) and found it as some of the most promising stuff in the recent raising wave of better Israeli cinema.
Dover Koshashvili is placing the action of his films in the media of the Georgian community in Israel. Describing the culture shock and traumas of the meeting between the immigrant societies and traditions and the young but so conflict ridden Israeli society is a recurring theme in the Israeli film since the 50s and 60s, and lately was combined with other genres like the ethnic intermarriage theme, so well known for example to British film makers examining Indian and Pakistanis assimilation in the UK.
'Hatuna Meuheret' is however more than an ethnic, or immigrants, or wedding movie, it stands ahead by the quality and bluntness of the approach in describing the family relations, by the fine understanding of the relations between characters within and out the traditional family cell, and by the almost perfect mastering of the actors work. Moni Moshonov for example in the father role is of a completely different ethnic origin, but he not only delivers his role in perfect Georgian (so I heard) but he is also exemplary in radiating the brutality, the sharp feelings and the limitations of his character.
I am really curious if the coming movies of Dover Koshashvili are still entrenched in the Georgian immigrants universe. It is probably time for such an original voice to find his way out, so that he is not stereotype perceived by viewers into one genre. In any case I am looking forward to watch his work in the years to come.
Dover Koshashvili is placing the action of his films in the media of the Georgian community in Israel. Describing the culture shock and traumas of the meeting between the immigrant societies and traditions and the young but so conflict ridden Israeli society is a recurring theme in the Israeli film since the 50s and 60s, and lately was combined with other genres like the ethnic intermarriage theme, so well known for example to British film makers examining Indian and Pakistanis assimilation in the UK.
'Hatuna Meuheret' is however more than an ethnic, or immigrants, or wedding movie, it stands ahead by the quality and bluntness of the approach in describing the family relations, by the fine understanding of the relations between characters within and out the traditional family cell, and by the almost perfect mastering of the actors work. Moni Moshonov for example in the father role is of a completely different ethnic origin, but he not only delivers his role in perfect Georgian (so I heard) but he is also exemplary in radiating the brutality, the sharp feelings and the limitations of his character.
I am really curious if the coming movies of Dover Koshashvili are still entrenched in the Georgian immigrants universe. It is probably time for such an original voice to find his way out, so that he is not stereotype perceived by viewers into one genre. In any case I am looking forward to watch his work in the years to come.
This film is certainly well acted. The actors seem like real people. They have characters that are fleshed out in sufficient fashion. The film deals with a life situation that is unknown to me and thusly a good thing--by providing insight in a slice of life that I would never have known about. All of that may make one think that this is a film worth watching. That is not the case. When it was over, I kept thinking, "what a waste of time." I can enjoy a "small film" as this certainly is and generally tend to prefer them over typical Hollywood blockbusters. In my opinion, this was a small film whose audience probably is those who are affected by Israeli customs. I guess for me, it did not speak to my life in any way and seemed like a waste, even though I can say that it was about as well done as it could be for what it was about.
Have I confused you? I suppose the issue is, unless you have a particular interest in daily Israeli customs, I doubt you would find this worth your time. Also, I think the reason this film was such a downer for me is because there were no sympathetic characters, no one I could care about. They were all bound by custom and none could live successfully against the repressive rules. Not that I demand a happy ending, it just seemed unremittingly depressing for no good end. It wasn't a bad film but I would prefer to have those hours back.
Have I confused you? I suppose the issue is, unless you have a particular interest in daily Israeli customs, I doubt you would find this worth your time. Also, I think the reason this film was such a downer for me is because there were no sympathetic characters, no one I could care about. They were all bound by custom and none could live successfully against the repressive rules. Not that I demand a happy ending, it just seemed unremittingly depressing for no good end. It wasn't a bad film but I would prefer to have those hours back.
I thought this was an interesting film, though it didn't cover as much of the relationship between the guy and his family. As an ethnic Korean male, I can understand family pressure on marriage and to marry someone who will fit in. The good thing about the film was the end, as unlike most Hollywood fare, the ending was very realistic in that it didn't fall into cliche and the like. It presented the probable ending as opposed to the sentimental ending.
Three stars.
Three stars.
In about 100 minutes, Late Marriage gives you a deep look into the matrimonial customs (primarily that in a man-woman relationship the man HAS to be older), traditions, and tabooed relationships of Israel of the late 1980s where a man and his divorcee girlfriend see their clandestine relationship as the central conflict for the former's family, further feeding you with some immaculately steamy sexual sequences and laugh-out-loud comedy that is bound to extract quite a few tee-hees from you even if it loses that very steam and gets over-dramatic towards the end. TN.
(Watched and reviewed at the We Are One Global Film Festival on YouTube. Curated by the Jerusalem Film Festival.)
(Watched and reviewed at the We Are One Global Film Festival on YouTube. Curated by the Jerusalem Film Festival.)
Intro ... This is what good movie making is all about. Short and to the point, pretensions are out of question.
The Scenario ...is a 31 year old main character (Zaza) who is being pressurized into marrying a girl from his society (Georgian Jewish). Zaza unfortunately is in love (maybe) but definitely involved with an older divorcée with a child. The parents are well concerned folks who want their only son to be wed in the right way and hence progressing well in society.
The Story ... can be divided into a few main scenes which sum up and present the outcome in the end. One of the main scenes is the graphic sex scene which is actually so very reminiscent of what happens in our personal lives. Full marks there. Another scene is the confrontation of Zaza'a family at his lover's place, chilling and sad (done with zero music). The ending scene is also delightful irrespective of positive/negative outcomes where Zaza finally speaks out of his fate to his parents (done in a clever way).
It explores the point of view of a young & intelligent scholar to be as well as the point of view of the parents. For many people outside the Asian continent, it will be difficult to fathom the parents' point of view but it exists in every Asian society even today.
Who should watch it ... This is a movie for people interested in watching different cultures and the social stigmas of marriage elsewhere. Well acted, non sentimental and reaching out to the audience in full glory.
The Scenario ...is a 31 year old main character (Zaza) who is being pressurized into marrying a girl from his society (Georgian Jewish). Zaza unfortunately is in love (maybe) but definitely involved with an older divorcée with a child. The parents are well concerned folks who want their only son to be wed in the right way and hence progressing well in society.
The Story ... can be divided into a few main scenes which sum up and present the outcome in the end. One of the main scenes is the graphic sex scene which is actually so very reminiscent of what happens in our personal lives. Full marks there. Another scene is the confrontation of Zaza'a family at his lover's place, chilling and sad (done with zero music). The ending scene is also delightful irrespective of positive/negative outcomes where Zaza finally speaks out of his fate to his parents (done in a clever way).
It explores the point of view of a young & intelligent scholar to be as well as the point of view of the parents. For many people outside the Asian continent, it will be difficult to fathom the parents' point of view but it exists in every Asian society even today.
Who should watch it ... This is a movie for people interested in watching different cultures and the social stigmas of marriage elsewhere. Well acted, non sentimental and reaching out to the audience in full glory.
- Electric_Sheep
- Apr 17, 2005
- Permalink
I came into the movie with good reviews in mind, but in reality found the movie was not "all that," although it was an interesting subject and I liked the authenticity of certain parts, most notably the strange ending. I have read many of the comments posted here and it is interesting to see the different viewpoints of the viewers. Certain comments helped me to better understand the film and my own reaction to it. My initial reaction is to be upset at how inhuman and unloving we humans can be in regards to ourselves and each other. How the family treated the divorced woman that Zaza was in love with, and even worse in front of her daughter, and how Zaza reacted mostly passively, was appalling and infuriating. I thought the mother was just dreadful. The ending was a bitter pill and makes you wonder how people can live like that. How dead life can be. The sad thing is that this situation, of parents, family members sort of maneuvering and dictating others lives, especially in a such a personal realm as marriage, is not necessarily restricted to particular cultures. As the director lets us see, it seems so inconceivable that these things happen, cruel and inhuman as they are, and yet they are what is accepted as normal and right. What is insane is seen as sane, and what is authentic and loving and real is seen as wrong and insane. Everything is upside-down....and that is so clearly evident. I must say this makes me think of the death penalty...we allow others to be killed because they are decided (how??) (is there some mathematical equation!!!) to be declared hardened, when in reality those deciding are heartless, merciless, unforgiving, cold, murderous, calculating, and all those adjectives they love to give about the person in question, in short hardened. They are taking others lives for the very crime they are in fact partaking in. If you believe in the Ten Commandments, "thou shalt not kill.".....there were no if ands or buts, or well in such and such a case..." It's obnoxious, no worse, criminal. Complete insanity and yet somehow this killing is considered legal(?) and right(!)...and these are the same pro-lifers!!! The irony (sickening) never ends. Goes to show how true (scary) that ending is and how numb as a society we can be and in many cases are. Look at the US today. Murder being committed inside and abroad through our "government" and we just watch..and even more scary are going to potentially...I so pray not..going to support it or allow it to be supported (which is the same....i.e by not voting) again. The sin of commission and the sin of omission, they're all one big happy family when it comes down to it. This movie...it's authenticity is so relevant...the more i think about it. In the ending, in the words of the little speech Zaza tells "the audience," he stumbles over their irony....Zaza realizing the absurdity, struggling with it, then swallowing his sense of truth, and "carrying on." It's tragic...what else can be said....except maybe, "How is this possible!!!"
Well, it seems movie a) is a quite accurate reflection on georgian-Russian-Jewish immigrants; b) goes a bit too far in estimating the power of traditions on a modern israeli (of g-r-j background). Given that Georgian Jews are a bit more traditional than, for example, Russian Jews, it is still true that they are quite open "non-traditional" marriage options, like marrying a divorcée or a non-Jewish woman. It's possible, if the guy really wants to, but, then, being an autobiographical movie of a non-married director, how is this film supposed to end? -- either in non-marriage or a reluctant commitment, which it does end with...
In summary don't take the love/marriage story for real, just enjoy the show of g-r-j character
In summary don't take the love/marriage story for real, just enjoy the show of g-r-j character
The film "Late Marriage" won the Silver Great Alexander award at the 42nd Salonica Film Festival. The film deals with the everlasting problem that more or less all men face in matriarchal societies. Our protagonist suffers from intense interventionism for choosing his wife. I would say that this is rather a Mediterranean habit that the wife must be approved by the husband's mother otherwise she doesnt give to the couple her wedding bless. The protagonist is a 31 year old progressive men and has a girlfriend who is divorced has a daughter and is three years older than him.
From the first view a typical Anglo-Saxonic couple who lives in a puritan and obsolete moral principles society and from the second view the Mediterranean family who wants to have the last say in such a critical decision for the live of its boy. The conflict is unavoidable and although that our protagonist compromises his will with the will of his family, the residuals of his decision will run after him for ever, even on the day of his marriage which was the result of a matchmaking effort originating from his mother. The director handles masterly the characters of the movie and attributes the reality with a very self-sarcastic way. P.S. I would categorise the movie as a drama and not as a comedy.
From the first view a typical Anglo-Saxonic couple who lives in a puritan and obsolete moral principles society and from the second view the Mediterranean family who wants to have the last say in such a critical decision for the live of its boy. The conflict is unavoidable and although that our protagonist compromises his will with the will of his family, the residuals of his decision will run after him for ever, even on the day of his marriage which was the result of a matchmaking effort originating from his mother. The director handles masterly the characters of the movie and attributes the reality with a very self-sarcastic way. P.S. I would categorise the movie as a drama and not as a comedy.
A riveting and haunting story, that I viewed a day after seeing "Fat Greek Wedding", which dealt in a way with a similar subject in a lighter more farcical manner. This movie was gut wrenching at some times and funny at others. I hoped for a different ending, but I understood the need for the ending as it is. As a volunteer social worker with refugees, the culture clash is real between generations,and within one group living in America, brides are "sold" and cousins sometimes marry. Matchmaking is alive in America in fundamentalist communities of all types and I certainly was not suprised by the portrayal of the Georgian community. The lead actors connnected with each other in an amazingly real way and Zazas parents were excellent, especially as his mother became bittersweet at the end. I know a 37 year old professional from a middle east group who has never dated, nor will do so without her parents permission or their death-the respect for family ties and tradition is so great.
This is a movie one will remember and it will be a classic on this subject
This is a movie one will remember and it will be a classic on this subject
- brant@aaahawk.com
- Sep 1, 2002
- Permalink
Not an ounce of heart in the whole film . Nasty characters , nasty resolution. A film to be avoided by anyone looking for a good experience. I'm surprised it got such good reviews
- azalastair
- Nov 3, 2003
- Permalink
This was an unexpectedly enjoyable film. The male lead was quite good, as were many of the female leads. The film provides many insights into modern day Israeli life, and specifically into the very conservative traditions of some of the Georgians who emigrated there. In the tradition of "Little Miss Sunshine", the viewer is allowed a glimpse into this very dysfunctional family, and along the way we come to like and care for many of the characters. Even Mouki the dog steals the show. I wish the ending had turned out differently, but the viewer is allowed to draw his own conclusions as to what will happen in the future. A captivating film, there is never a dull moment, and it easily holds one's interest throughout its entirety. The fact that most of the cast is extremely attractive and accomplished actors makes "Late Marriage" pleasantly watchable.
- pomspringz
- Feb 23, 2007
- Permalink