[ad_1]
T.hers is an outspoken, understated and well-acted debut from first-time director Ruthy Pribar who earned her the Nora Ephron award at this year’s Tribeca film festival – an admirable choice, even if it’s questionable how exactly she “embodies” the spirit “of Ephron as the winner should do.
The setting is Jerusalem, where Asia (Alena Yiv) came to Israel from a Russian Jew. She is in her 30s, works as a nurse and takes care of her teenage daughter, Victoria, or Vika, who was very young – excellent work from Shira Haas. Vika has never had a boyfriend; as for Asia, she has a kind of friendly relationship with a doctor, Stas (Gera Sandler), who for inexplicable reasons related to her situation cannot bring her back to her place.
Either way, Asia isn’t ready to think about settling down, and now that Vika has more independence, refusing to do so could give her more freedom. But a health crisis with Vika creates a crisis in the way Asia thinks of herself as a woman and mother, and causes Asia and Vika to approach a nurse in her hospital: Gabi (Tamir Mula), whose feelings must be taken into consideration.
There is intelligence, intimacy, and subtlety in the way the drama is presented, which takes it above the level of the TV movie of the week. But I wasn’t entirely convinced by a plot twist involving a certain surprising proposal Asia makes to Gabi, who takes care of Vika. It is unclear whether we should see this as a well-meaning but misjudged idea that reveals a rather contemptuous attitude towards Gabi, or if it is a bold and courageous plan, which reveals one’s dedication. There are very good performances.
• Asia is available on Curzon Home Cinema.
.
[ad_2]
Source link
