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Ushpizin
Ushpizin (Hebrew: האושפיזין, romanized: HaUshpizin, lit. 'The Sukkot guests') is a 2004 Israeli film directed by Gidi Dar and written by Shuli Rand.
The film was shot at the Schneller Compound and the Rand family’s home in Jerusalem, where some neighborhood residents participated in the production. It was made with special permits from rabbis. As part of the agreement with the rabbis, the film was not screened in cinemas on the Sabbath. The movie portrays the atmosphere and lifestyle of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods with considerable accuracy, showcasing typical characters and incorporating authentic expressions spoken by the actors. It was produced with the support of the Gesher Multicultural Film Fund.
The lead actors are Shuli Rand and his then-wife Michal Bat-Sheva Rand, alongside Shaul Mizrahi, Ilan Ganani, Avraham Abutbul, and others. The film's title is based on the concept of Ushpizin, which is associated with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Moshe and Mali Bellanga are an impoverished, childless, Hasidic baalei teshuva ("returnees to Judaism") couple in the Breslov community in Jerusalem. After Moshe is passed over for a stipend he expected, they cannot pay their bills, much less prepare for the upcoming Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Moshe admires a particularly beautiful etrog, or citron, one of the four species required for the holiday observance. They console themselves by recalling a saying of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov that difficult times are a test of faith. After some anguished prayer, they receive an unexpected monetary gift on the eve of the holiday and Moshe buys the etrog for 1000 shekels (approx. $300), a large sum of money that is much more than he can afford.
The couple is visited by a pair of escaped convicts, one of whom knew Moshe in his earlier, non-religious life. The convicts become their guests (ushpizin) in the sukkah, creating many conflicts and straining Moshe and Mali's relationship.
Ushpizin was filmed on location in Jerusalem, Israel. While a few scenes were shot in Haredi neighbourhoods, most of the film was shot at the Schneller Orphanage and in Jerusalem's Nachlaot neighbourhood. Several streets in Nachlaot feature frequently in the film: Rama Street (where Ben-Baruch meets Moshe and offers him the Sukkah, and where Moshe and Malli part), Zichron Tuvyah (where Moshe's Yeshiva is located) and Tavor Street, while others appear less frequently or even in single shots. The stone buildings of Nachlaot substitute for the Shmuel Hanavi area, though landmarks such as the Wolfson Towers and the Yad Labanim building reveal the true location.
No separate soundtrack has been sold, though two of the main songs—"Ata Kadosh" and "Yesh Rak HaKadosh Baruch Hu"—were later released on an album by Adi Ran.
Ushpizin
Ushpizin (Hebrew: האושפיזין, romanized: HaUshpizin, lit. 'The Sukkot guests') is a 2004 Israeli film directed by Gidi Dar and written by Shuli Rand.
The film was shot at the Schneller Compound and the Rand family’s home in Jerusalem, where some neighborhood residents participated in the production. It was made with special permits from rabbis. As part of the agreement with the rabbis, the film was not screened in cinemas on the Sabbath. The movie portrays the atmosphere and lifestyle of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods with considerable accuracy, showcasing typical characters and incorporating authentic expressions spoken by the actors. It was produced with the support of the Gesher Multicultural Film Fund.
The lead actors are Shuli Rand and his then-wife Michal Bat-Sheva Rand, alongside Shaul Mizrahi, Ilan Ganani, Avraham Abutbul, and others. The film's title is based on the concept of Ushpizin, which is associated with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Moshe and Mali Bellanga are an impoverished, childless, Hasidic baalei teshuva ("returnees to Judaism") couple in the Breslov community in Jerusalem. After Moshe is passed over for a stipend he expected, they cannot pay their bills, much less prepare for the upcoming Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Moshe admires a particularly beautiful etrog, or citron, one of the four species required for the holiday observance. They console themselves by recalling a saying of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov that difficult times are a test of faith. After some anguished prayer, they receive an unexpected monetary gift on the eve of the holiday and Moshe buys the etrog for 1000 shekels (approx. $300), a large sum of money that is much more than he can afford.
The couple is visited by a pair of escaped convicts, one of whom knew Moshe in his earlier, non-religious life. The convicts become their guests (ushpizin) in the sukkah, creating many conflicts and straining Moshe and Mali's relationship.
Ushpizin was filmed on location in Jerusalem, Israel. While a few scenes were shot in Haredi neighbourhoods, most of the film was shot at the Schneller Orphanage and in Jerusalem's Nachlaot neighbourhood. Several streets in Nachlaot feature frequently in the film: Rama Street (where Ben-Baruch meets Moshe and offers him the Sukkah, and where Moshe and Malli part), Zichron Tuvyah (where Moshe's Yeshiva is located) and Tavor Street, while others appear less frequently or even in single shots. The stone buildings of Nachlaot substitute for the Shmuel Hanavi area, though landmarks such as the Wolfson Towers and the Yad Labanim building reveal the true location.
No separate soundtrack has been sold, though two of the main songs—"Ata Kadosh" and "Yesh Rak HaKadosh Baruch Hu"—were later released on an album by Adi Ran.