Bliss (Hemda)

Bliss (Hemda)
Written and directed by: Shemi Zarhin

(Israel 2024, 125 mins, Hebrew, Arabic, with English subtitles)

Cast: Sasson Gabay, Assi Levi, Maor Levi, Adi Alon, Lital Schwartz, Roy Assaf, Shadi Mar'i, Lotem Toshinsky

Synopsis:

Sassi (73) and Effi (50) spend their days frantically running from job to job in a seemingly futile attempt to pay back the enormous gambling debt left behind by Sassi’s son. They somehow overcome all the daily obstacles in their lives – the grueling work schedule, their obvious age gap, and Sassi’s impotency (a result of prostate surgery) – with love and humor. But when two young men burst back into their home and work space, breaking their fragile carefully crafted schedule, the limits of their love (and humor) will be tested like never before. 

Shemi Zarhin one of Israel's most prominent filmmakers, is presenting us with a moving, tender and wise love story. We follow the life of a couple whose extreme love for each other and their family transcends social norms, financial struggles and past mistakes. Set in the Galilee (northern Israel) during winter, and shot before the war broke out, BLISS (Hemda) tackles Israeli reality in an original, human, illuminating way.

FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS 

• Toronto Int'l Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 - official selection, international premiere
• Calgary JFF 2024 - opening film 
• Santa Barbara JFF 2024 - opening film

PRESS REVIEWS: 

• The Hollywood Reporter
• Times of Israel
• The Jerusalem Post