Gal Gadot hosts Academy members for screening of Israel’s Oscars choice
Movie star introduces ‘Come Closer’ and filmmaker Tom Nesher to Academy Award members and industry leaders
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Movie star Gal Gadot hosted a reception and screening on Monday for Israeli filmmaker Tom Nesher and her debut film, “Come Closer,” Israel’s submission for an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature Film.
The Los Angeles-based event was attended by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as well as celebrities, filmmakers and members of the local film industry.
Gadot, of “Wonder Woman” fame, and Nesher, an emerging filmmaker, haven’t worked on a film together, but it’s typical for known names in the industry to promote and host screenings of films during the runup period to the Oscar nominations.
Nesher’s “Come Closer” is based in Israel and tells the story of Eden, a young woman who deeply cares for her younger brother, believing there are no boundaries or secrets between them. When he’s killed in a car accident, Eden discovers his secret girlfriend Maya and embarks on a journey to discover more about her, leading the two women to an obsessive bond.
The film was inspired by the Nesher family’s real-world tragedy when Tom’s brother Ari was killed in a hit-and-run in 2018. Tom Nesher’s father is a renowned filmmaker, Avi Nesher.
“Come Closer” received 12 nominations for her debut film at the recent Ophir Awards, Israel’s equivalent to the Oscars, winning Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Leading Actress award for Lia Elalouf, and Best Editing.
Distribution company Greenwich Entertainment acquired the distribution rights of “Come Closer” in the US and Canada.
The film will open the Israeli Film Festival in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
When “Come Closer” won the best film award prize at the Tribeca Festival last June, Israeli artists were being increasingly boycotted internationally, and New York City was the site of widespread anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations amid the ongoing war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
At Tribeca, Nesher noted the significance of an Israeli director taking home the prize: “Thank you to my talented cast, to the production team, and to festival directors Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro, who stood up to the pressure and chose an Israeli film,” she said.
In September, Gadot told Israeli President Isaac Herzog during the launch of his initiative “Voice of the People” that she has to consistently navigate antisemitism in Hollywood.
Gadot said she doesn’t shy away from having uncomfortable conversations with people about Israel, and as a Jewish, Israeli and global celebrity, she can handle the anger sometimes directed toward her.
“Since October 7, life feels divided into before and after,” said Gadot, who lives in Los Angeles with her Israeli husband and four daughters. “I will always be proud of my heritage and my Israeli and Jewish identity.”
