Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem

Directed by – Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz

One of the most compelling pieces of drama I have ever seen. By calling it the best court room drama ever, would mean to diminish its excellency in the genre. We have seen 12 angry men but there were 12 angry men. Here, the entire film is set inside a courtroom with two benches and 3 judges.

The film gives unparalleled insight into the plight of women in Israel. A woman files for divorce from her husband wanting to get out of a thirty year old marriage on grounds of incompatibility. The husband, time and again refuses to show up, probably because he can. Since according to their judiciary system, a man can only grant divorce to a woman, there is nothing even the judges can do to force him. Viviane, patiently, months after months waits for an ultimatum by the court because she has lost all hope from her husband to grant her freedom.

You could see the tension building. The ridiculous nature of the society we all are a part of, puts a mirror up your face and forces you to see it. At one point, Viviane loses it. For which she was also dismissed from the court. But she comes back, because anger cannot buy happiness.

She says, ‘Its easy to blame the one who yells. The one who whispers venom is innocent.’

When I watch films like these, I don’t think about filmmaking. I am so intensely gripped by the drama created by the filmmaker that it comes alive.

That my friend is called masterpiece.

Quite speechless hereafter.

 

Waltz with Bashir (2008)

Director – Ari Folman

An animated documentary narrated by the filmmaker while trying to remember his past life as a soldier in the 1982 Lebanon war that he has seemed to have forgotten. It is one of the most fascinating and amazing documentaries I have ever seen. It went on to win the Annie award that is awarded exclusively for great works of animation under the main category of best animated feature of the year. It won Cesar, Golden globe, BAFTA for foreign language category, but here, tell you a fun fact? The film is officially banned in Lebanon. It took four years for Ari Folman to complete the film. Worth it!

Waltz with Bashir (2008)

Directed by – Ari Folman

Though its placed in the feature option but the film has been made entirely out of personal experiences of the director, Ari Folman who interviews his fellow veterans of 1982 during the invasion of Lebanon to restore the memories of his past.

And its all documentary – all animation watch. Not the quirky sita sings the blues type. Its real and its not. And to justify the style – what a theme to chose right? Memories of the past. Its one of its kinds.