2017 PS Film Festival
film synopsis
Israeli-American filmmaker Asaph Polonsky's auspicious debut is a quirky, loose-limbed movie following a middle-aged Israeli couple as the one-week ritual mourning period (shiva) for their cancer-stricken adult son comes to an end.
Mother Vicky (Evgenia Dodina) is all for returning to normal life asap, but father Eyal (comedian Shai Avivi, known as "the Larry David of Israel") is at a loss. After visiting his son's hospital room-and coming away with a bag of medicinal marijuana-Eyal lets his neighbors' stoner son Zooler (Tomer Kapon) teach him how to roll a joint. Soon, the two men-an odd couple if there ever was one-embark on a series of weed-enhanced encounters that run the gamut from hilariously funny to quietly introspective. Along the way, Polonsky offers cogent and funny insights into what mourning means for different people...
"[This] is a sweet and subdued look at the absurdity of life after death. Polonsky works small wonders with his excellent cast..." David Erhlich, Indiewire
Winner: Best First Film, Best Screenplay, Best Israeli Feature, Jerusalem