Matinee

Series/Themes: Jewish & Israeli Film Series, LGBTQIA+ Focus

Genre: Comedy, Drama, International

Accessibility: Subtitles

Film Year: 2022

Locations: Israel

Film Length: 82 min.

Languages: Hebrew

Subtitles: Yes.

Director: Idan Haguel

Featuring: Shlomi Bertonov, Ariel Wolf

Things are going well for Ben and Raz, a well-to-do gay couple from Tel Aviv. After buying a renovated apartment in a local migrant neighborhood, they begin to seek a surrogate to help them start a family. Their attempt to create a cozy life is disrupted when Ben plants a sapling on their corner, looking to beautify his new street. The tree is not welcomed by all, and soon becomes a source of conflict; when matters turn physical, Ben gets the police involved. The situation thrusts his internal prejudices to the surface, racking the liberally minded Ben with guilt, and forcing him to grapple with his own complicity in the systems of oppression surrounding him. This darkly comedic film exposes the grim realities of gentrification, and presents a nuanced and timely parable about the many forms that privilege can take. Introduction by Asher Biemann (UVA).

This film is part of the Jewish and Israeli Film Series presented by Congregation Beth Israel.