CINEMA SABAYA

A group of Arab and Jewish women attend a workshop run by Rona, a young filmmaker from Tel Aviv, to learn to document their lives on video. As each woman shares her raw footage with the others, they are all forced to challenge their preconceived views and beliefs, coming together as mothers, wives, and women. Based on the real-life experiences of the film’s director, with a remarkable cast consisting of professional and non-professional actors alike, Cinema Sabaya is a testament to the power of film and its unique capacity to spark mutual recognition and connection across cultures. Jerusalem Film Festival Winner Best Israeli Debut & Audience Award, AFI Fest, Warsaw International Film Festival, UK Jewish Film Festival, nominated for 8 Ophir awards (Israeli Academy) including: Best Film (winner), Best Director (winner), Best Supporting Actress (winner), Israel’s official Oscar entry for Best International Feature Film.

“Cinema Sabaya manages to surprise as a sensitive film about relationships, femininity and art.” –Letterboxd

“The film moves effortlessly between the gravity of their conversations – and the genuine joy generated by the unlikely group of women.” –Film Daily

DIRECTOR
Orit Fouks Rotem