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Past Life

Released Jun 2, 2017 1h 49m Mystery & Thriller Drama TRAILER for List
79% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In 1977 Jerusalem, two sisters try to unravel the mystery behind their father's experiences in Poland during World War II.
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Past Life

Critics Reviews

View All (28) Critics Reviews
Gayle MacDonald Globe and Mail The drama seems overwrought at times, even cliché ... Rated: 2/4 Jul 14, 2017 Full Review Bruce DeMara Toronto Star While so many films have examined the war and the Holocaust that took such an egregious toll on the Jewish community, Past Life looks at it from a novel perspective, examining the possible "crimes" committed by a survivor. Rated: 3/4 Jul 13, 2017 Full Review Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle Rieger and Tagar capture the intimacy and competitive sniping of siblings, and they're each stunning in opposite roles. Rated: 3/5 Jun 22, 2017 Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site ...an intelligent, convincing film for the most part, inspired by a true story. It takes place in the late 1970s. Jul 8, 2020 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com After all is said and done, this 1970s set tale may directly address some sore subjects often neglected in Israeli cinema but eventually curdles into an illogical soup of emotional misnomers. Rated: 2.5/5 Oct 10, 2019 Full Review Cate Marquis We Are Movie Geeks Past Life is a polished and haunting drama that keeps the audience hooked with its suspenseful plot, affecting performances led by two strong female leads, and a heart-wrenching true story. Apr 30, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Audience Member This is a beautifully produced but overly morose Israeli examination of survivors' guilt and its continuation into a second generation. Writer-director Avi Nesher lays it on heavily. A character quotes (without attribution) the adage that Ezekiel quotes, "The parents eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" -- but the film fails to report or adopt any of the sensibilities of Ezekiel's complete rejection of the thought. Here, a daughter, wonderfully played by Nelly Tagar, surrenders her fate to a verdict on her father's wartime actions. Then, protagonists become obsessed with the acceptance of a Polish woman acquaintance whose moral compass is at best questionable. And the film seems OK with all that. Even so, the contrasting sisters, played by Tagar and Joy Rieger, are a pleasure to watch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Past Life [Avi Nesher, 2017, Israel] Clattered and unfocused with a number of things happening all at once. 6/10 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Neither the gorgeous cinematography and set design nor the charm of Nelly Tagar can make up for a script that feels unfinished, bad direction and poorly-written dialog. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member A sensitive and moving story about the emotional horrors of theHolocaust Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Ending is disappointing. No real climax. Mediocre closure. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Past Life

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1977 Jerusalem, two sisters try to unravel the mystery behind their father's experiences in Poland during World War II.
Director
Avi Nesher
Producer
Ruth Cats, Leon Edery, Moshe Edery, David M. Milch, Avi Nesher, David Silber, Elad Naggar
Screenwriter
Avi Nesher
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Production Co
Metro Communications, Artomas Communications
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
Hebrew
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 2, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$93.0K
Runtime
1h 49m
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