SummaryA devout 18-year-old Israeli is pressured to marry the husband of her late sister. Declaring her independence is not an option in Tel Aviv's ultra-Orthodox Hasidic community where religious law and the rabbi's word are absolute.
Directed By:Rama Burshtein
Written By:Rama Burshtein
Fill the Void
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
My Score
Drag or tap to give a rating
Hover and click to give a rating
Where to Watch
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79
78% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
22% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
May 23, 2013
100
What the film makes clear, with unfailing sensitivity and wry humor, is that for Shira and her family the ordinary arrangements of living are freighted with moral and spiritual significance.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
69% Positive
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
19% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
13% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
May 27, 2013
10
Refreshingly emotionally involving, this is not at all your typical Hollywood movie. Eschewing dependence on action, this film seeks to explore the world of Haredim in Jerusalem. Many non-Jews may miss cues and actions which may seem confusing or questionable to the outside world (but are understood by Orthodox Jews). Nevertheless, the way the Burshtein draws you into the characters' world strongly enables one to feel the tensions through which they go through. Very rewarding.
Jun 8, 2013
8
This is a high quality drama about life, death, family and tradition. Not a single note is phony here. The attention to details is exceptional. The movie is slow but emotionally charged. A bit too much of ceremonial rituals to my liking. Overall, the movie is Oscar caliber.
Jun 14, 2013
88
The movie confounds at times with its aversion to clearly explaining each relationship and ritual, but ultimately that makes each realization seem more like a new discovery.
May 21, 2013
80
The film isn’t exactly rousing in its conclusion, but it’s always respectful: a serious ethical inquiry into matters of women’s choice, both imposed and seized upon. Check it out.
May 17, 2013
75
The film unfolds in unhurried dramatic terms that come to take on an almost fatalistic force.
Dec 12, 2013
60
The story unfolds intriguingly within an intimate, almost claustrophobic environment. There is perhaps something ultimately undeveloped about it, but the film is a well acted, well presented piece of work.
May 21, 2013
42
Burshtein has devoted most of the last 20 years teaching and making film in that world, but here makes her international feature debut with a curious comedy-drama that has its strengths, but ultimately proves somewhat disappointing.
Production Company:
- Avi Chai fund
- Israel Film Fund
- Norma Productions
- Reshet TV
- SundanceTV
Release Date:May 24, 2013
Duration:1 h 30 m
Rating:PG
Awards
Awards of the Israeli Film Academy
• 7 Wins & 13 Nominations
Venice Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 2 Nominations
