Cinema Sabaya

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1:49

Cinema Sabaya

Released Feb 10, 2023

1h 32m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

86%

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14 Reviews

99%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A group of Arab and Jewish women attend a video workshop at a small town community center run by Rona (Dana Ivgy, Zero Motivation), a young filmmaker from Tel Aviv, who teaches them to document their lives. As each student shares footage from her home life with the others, their beliefs and preconceptions are challenged and barriers are broken down. The group comes together as mothers, daughters, wives, and women living in a world designed to keep them apart, forming an empowering and lasting bond as they learn more about each other... and themselves. Inspired by writer-director Orit Fouks Rotem's own experiences as a teacher, Cinema Sabaya presents a deft and heartfelt portrait of art's capacity to unite disparate communities, moving effortlessly between the gravity of their conversations and the genuine joy of this unlikely group of friends. Israel's Official Submission to the 95th Academy Awards and winner of five Ophir Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress (Joanna Said).

Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

The old classroom concept of show-and-tell becomes a richer, deeper exercise for a workshop of Arab and Jewish women in Israeli filmmaker Orit Fouks Rotem’s heartfelt feature debut “Cinema Sabaya.”

Feb 24, 2023

Full Review

Kyle Smith

Wall Street Journal

Cinema Sabaya, a quietly affecting little film about unexpected connections and unseen sorrows, shimmers with a bright optimism about how people might overlook one another’s differences if only they took a little time to learn about each other.

Feb 10, 2023

Full Review

Beatrice Loayza

New York Times

The film resides in the porous boundary between fiction and reality... enriched by naturalistic flair that eschews didacticism.

Feb 9, 2023

Full Review

David Bax

Battleship Pretension

Cinema Sabaya is as much a film about filmmaking as it is about national and religious identities.

Nov 16, 2023

Full Review

Rubén Rosario

MiamiArtZine

It ought to be fun, a film about a group of Israeli and Arab women from different walks of life brought together to take part in a video production workshop. So how come the results feel like eating your veggies?

May 30, 2023

Full Review

Sr. Rose Pacatte

St. Anthony Messenger

Cinema Sabaya is a parable about our common humanity and for people and communities who live in conflict.

Apr 14, 2023

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Filmfan

Compassionate and realistic - very moving and thought-provoking film!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

minnie b

It was a very moving, humorous and poignant film. It felt like a documentary but then I realized it couldnt be. Loved all the different women and their stories and the way they cared for and encouraged and challenged each other.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

tensionkoh s

very good movie !!! you guys should wacth it !!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/02/23

Full Review

Chris J

MOVIE REVIEW Cinema Sabaya – Genre: Drama Year Released: 2023 Runtime: 1h 31m Director(s): Orit Fouks Rotem Writer(s): Orit Fouks Rotem Cast: Dana Ivgy, Joanna Said, Amal Murkus, Ruth Landau, Yulia Tagil, Marlene Bajali, Aseel Farhat, Orit Samuel, Liora Levi, Khawlah Hag Debsy Language: Hebrew, Arabic w/English subtitles Where To Watch: will open in New York on February 10 at the Quad Cinema and in Los Angeles on February 24 at the Laemmle Royal, with national expansion to follow. RAVING REVIEW: Orit Fouks Rotem's directorial debut is a testament to cinema's transformative power. It follows a group of women from diverse backgrounds as they come together for a videography workshop at a community center in a small town. The film masterfully delves into their complexities and explores motherhood, financial independence, and self-discovery themes. The film was reminiscent of last year's Oscar-nominated documentary WRITING WITH FIRE, not entirely because of the subject but more because of the thrill of learning and adventure throughout the film. This film was born from Rotem's experience and the inspiration she drew from her mother's participation in a photography course that brought together Arab and Jewish women. Rotem's firsthand knowledge of similar programs in cities like Acre and Givat Haviva is evident in the film's portrayal of these women's lives. Casting was a crucial aspect of the film, and Rotem chose women whose personal stories aligned with the central themes. The use of non-professional actresses only adds to the film's emotional impact, making it a raw and intimate look at women's lives. Again, making the film feel like a documentary at times. Its demonstration of the art of cinema's ability to bring people together is a triumph and a must-see for any film lover. Israel submitted it as their official entry for the 95th Academy Awards. The film shines a light on Rotem's exceptional talent as a filmmaker and showcases cinema's power to challenge societal norms and break down barriers. It is a film that will leave a lasting impact and inspire and engage audiences for years to come. Whether you are a seasoned film buff or a newcomer to the cinema, this film is a must-watch. For more reviews and my YouTube channel, please visit linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews. I'm always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/22/23

Full Review

Gonzalo

Awesome what a take was it fiction or reality?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Orit Fouks Rotem

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Dana Ivgy

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Cinema Sabaya: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A group of Arab and Jewish women attend a video workshop at a small town community center run by Rona (Dana Ivgy, Zero Motivation), a young filmmaker from Tel Aviv, who teaches them to document their lives. As each student shares footage from her home life with the others, their beliefs and preconceptions are challenged and barriers are broken down. The group comes together as mothers, daughters, wives, and women living in a world designed to keep them apart, forming an empowering and lasting bond as they learn more about each other... and themselves. Inspired by writer-director Orit Fouks Rotem's own experiences as a teacher, Cinema Sabaya presents a deft and heartfelt portrait of art's capacity to unite disparate communities, moving effortlessly between the gravity of their conversations and the genuine joy of this unlikely group of friends. Israel's Official Submission to the 95th Academy Awards and winner of five Ophir Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress (Joanna Said).

Director: Orit Fouks Rotem
Screenwriter: Orit Fouks Rotem
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Hebrew
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 10, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 13, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $69.5K
Runtime: 1h 32m

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