Ayelet Menahemis family comedySeven Blessingsswept the board atIsraels Ophir Awards on Sunday evening, triumphing in nine categories including in best film.
As the winner of the best film prize, the movie will automatically be put forward as Israels submission to the Best International Film category of the 2024 Academy Awards.
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Set in Jerusalem in the early 1990s, the film revolves around an eventful Jewish Moroccan family wedding and the traditional blessings that are pronounced during the ceremony, again at the reception, and then on the next seven nights, with loved ones hosting special dinners in the couples honor.
Seven BlessingsBental Productions
Behind the facade of joie de vivre and togetherness, there are secrets, lies, and a painful old wound from the past that threatens to burst the bubble of their lives.
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Added to the mix is a comedy of errors and misinterpretation from numerous members of the family speaking multiple languages, spanning Hebrew, Arabic, French, and the French Moroccan dialect.
The film marks Menahemis first film in sixteen years, since dramaNoodle, about an El Al flight attendant who finds herself responsible for an abandoned Chinese boy.
The ensemble cast features Raymonde Amsallem, Eleanor Sela, who both also take co-writing credits, as well as Tiki Dayan, Emanuel Boussidan and Idit Tepreson.
Ronen Ben Tal, whose previous credits include Avishai SivansTikkunand Tsivia BarkaisRed Cow, is the producer under the banner of his Bental Productions Ltd.
United King Films launched the film theatrically in Israel on September 7. International sales and U.S. distribution have yet to be set.
Seven Blessingswas the hot favorite in this years contest with 12 nominations, followed by Dani RosenbergsThe Vanishing Solider, which world premiered in the Locarno over the summer, and Avi NeshersThe Monkey House, with 11 nominations each.
Israel has never won the top prize in the Best International Film category, although it has made it into the final nomination list 10 times, most recently with Joseph CedarsFootnotein 2011.
