Cinema Sabaya movie storyline. A group of Arab and Jewish women attend a video workshop at a small town community center run by Rona, 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 generated by this unlikely group of friends. Winner of five Ophir Awards including Best Picture and Best Director and Israel’s Official Submission to the 95th Academy Awards.
Cinema Sabaya (Hebrew: סינמה סבאיא) is a 2021 Israeli drama film, directed by Orit Fouks Rotem and produced by the Israeli production company, Green Productions. It stars an all-female cast, including Dana Ivgi, Amal Murkus, Marlene Bejali, Ruthie Landau, Haula Haj-Divsi, Joanna Said, Yulia Tagil, Asil Farhat, Orit Samuel and Liora Levy.
In 2022 the film was chosen as the official Israeli nominee for the Academy Award for Best International Film at the 95th Academy Awards. This followed its Ophir Award win for Best Feature Film (along with four additional Ophir Awards). Previously to that, it had also won the Best Debut Film Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival. On March 8, 2022, in celebration of International Women’s Day, the film was chosen for a special screening at Beit HaNassi, the Israeli President’s Residence. In November 2022 it was picked up by Kino Lorber for North American distribution rights.
Cinema Sabaya (2023)
Directed by: Orit Fouks Rotem
Starring: Dana Ivgi, Amal Murkus, Marlene Bejali, Ruthie Landau, Haula Haj-Divsi, Joanna Said, Yulia Tagil, Asil Farhat, Orit Samuel, Liora Levy, Amal Murkus, Joanna Said, Yulia Tagil
Screenplay by: Orit Fouks Rotem
Cinematography by: Itay Marom
Film Editing by: Neta Dvorkis
Costume Design by: Rachel Ben Dahan
Art Direction by: Hefi Bohem
Makeup Department: Orly Ronen
Music by: Karni Postel
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Kino Lorber
Release Date: February 10, 2023
Visits: 13
