Woman of the wall Woman of the wall

A comic sequel to Rama Burshtein’s wedding saga

‘Through the Wall,’ the ultra-Orthodox director’s second feature film, is now screening at festivals worldwide

By Jessica Steinberg

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5 September 2016, 7:29 pm

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Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

Rama Burshtein’s latest film, “Through the Wall,” a comic sequel to her first, award-winning movie, “Fill the Void,” is making the rounds of film festivals this fall.

This latest feature from the American-born, ultra-Orthodox director recently screened at the 73rd Venice Film Festival, and is on its way to the 43rd Telluride festival in Colorado, taking place this week.

“Through the Wall” is another tale of weddings and marriages, but with a comic spin about a religious-by-choice single woman in her thirties, Michal (played by newcomer Noa Koler), who is looking for a husband.

There may be more than one similarity in the movie to Burshtein’s own life; she chose a religious lifestyle when she was in her twenties.

There are the typical characters and details familiar to any religious romantic comedy, including a kind of witch doctor/marriage broker, a pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, and an Israeli indie singer who offers Michal, the wannabe bride, some hope and unexpected spiritual succor.

Actress Noa Koler (right) plays a single ultra-Orthodox woman who will do anything to get married in 'Through the Wall' (Courtesy Norma Productions) — Actress Noa Koler (right) plays a single ultra-Orthodox woman who will do anything to get married in ‘Through the Wall’ (Courtesy Norma Productions)

The director’s first film, 2012’s “Fill the Void,” won awards in seven different categories, including Best Picture, at the 2013 Ophir Awards, Israel’s local version of the Academy Awards.

The 2016 Ophir Awards take place on September 22, and “Through the Wall” is nominated for nine different categories. The film opens in Israeli theaters on October 27.