Ophir awards pit ‘Gett’ against ‘Zero’
Israel’s top movie prize nominees announced ahead of September ceremony
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
“Zero Motivation,” a local flick about female soldiers bored stiff during their army service, received 12 nominations for Ophir Awards, the annual prizes of the Israel Academy for Film.
The nominations were announced Tuesday morning.
“Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem,” Ronit and Shlomi Elkabetz’s third film in their dark trilogy about a woman trying to divorce her husband, received six nominations.
“Gett” is about to compete in the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (Septeber 4-14), alongside another Ophir best picture nominee, “The Farewell Party,” about a group of retirees trying to help their friend commit suicide.
Like “Zero Motivation,” a black comedy written and directed by newcomer Talya Lavie, “Gett” was also nominated for best director, best screenplay, best actress, best actor and best supporting actor.
The Ophir Awards ceremony will be held on September 21 in Ashdod, and will be broadcast on Channel 10.
The Ophir winner for best film is generally Israel’s submission for the Best Foreign Film Oscar nomination.
Both films have been well reviewed at local and foreign festivals. “Zero Motivation,” which is currently playing in theaters, nabbed the prize for best narrative feature at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival’s awards ceremony.
“Gett,” which received glowing reviews at Cannes, will be in local theaters starting September 10.
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