The Jewish Film Festival approaches once again.
As usual, there is an incredible lineup of films, including Israeli director Nitzan Giladi’s newest film, “Wedding Doll,” a movie whose protagonist will charm the socks off of you with her honest vibrancy.
Hagit (Moran Rosenblatt) wants to be a bride. There are two reasons you can be sure of this fact. One, the little dolls she makes from the materials at the toilet paper factory always have little, white toilet paper dresses and veils, and, two, because she will tell you.
Hagit wears her heart on her sleeve—and her smile, and her fear. This is something that Omri (Roy Assaf), son of the factory owner, loves about Hagit. They are secret lovers, enjoying their time together when Omri’s father leaves the cutting floor, and they meet out on the cliffs every night when she’s supposed to be in bed.
But Hagit has a mental deficiency and is unable to understand why Omri may not want to tell people about their relationship. There are quite a few things she doesn’t understand, actually, and her overprotective mother (Asi Levi) has sacrificed her entire life to keep her out of harm’s way—an act that prevents both of them from really living life. Hagit desperately wants her independence, a task that proves difficult when she learns that the toilet paper factory soon will be closing, and she will lose her job.
The film vacillates between adorable and vastly uncomfortable, as some of Hagit’s interactions keenly reflect society’s perception of people like her. And though every mother-daughter relationship contains some amount of struggle, Rosenblatt and Levi’s on-screen chemistry really draws out the brutal truth of the situation. What results is an incredibly real and applicable character sketch of a girl with disabilities—and a beautiful one at that.
“Wedding Doll” will make you not only laugh, but also deeply feel Hagit’s sorrow and joy throughout its 82 minutes. It’s definitely a film you shouldn’t miss. It will play this month as part of the Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival at Midtown Cinema.
For more information about the Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival, see the story in this month’s issue or visit www.hbgjff.com.
Midtown Cinema
MAY SPECIAL EVENTS
The Late Shift with Zeroday
“Fight Club”
Saturday, May 7, 10:30 p.m.
Classic Film Series
“Chariots of Fire”
Sunday, May 8, 6 p.m.
Down in Front!
“Samurai Cop”
Friday, May 13, 9:30 p.m.
Jewish Film Festival
May 19-26
Various times, check the schedule
3rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“A League of Their Own”
Friday, May 20, 9:30 p.m.
Faulkner Honda Family Film Series
“Space Jam”
Saturday, May 21, 12 p.m.
Sunday, May 22, 2 p.m.
15th Anniversary Series
“Bend It Like Beckham”
Saturday, May 28, 8 p.m.
