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About The Film

An Israeli woman seeking to finalize her divorce from her uncompromising and spiteful husband finds herself effectively put on trial by Israel’s religiously-based marriage laws in this riveting courtroom drama from sibling directors Shlomi and Ronit Elkabetz.

In GETT, the third installment in a trilogy preceded by TO TAKE A WIFE (SJFF 2004) and 7 DAYS, Viviane (a stellar Ronit Elkabetz) and her husband Elisha have been separated for years, and she wants a divorce. In Israel, marriage is not a civil institution, but rather falls under the purview of the Orthodox rabbinical courts. A woman may ask for a divorce, but it is solely up to the husband whether or not to grant one—and Elisha is unwilling to do so.

Over the course of five years, Viviane attempts to win her get (an Israeli divorce document). Legal delays and Elisha’s manipulation take their toll on Viviane, whose patience and sanity begin to unravel. It takes all of her courage to stand up to a court system that refuses to acknowledge her autonomy

Winner of a Best Picture Award at Israel’s Ophir Awards, GETT is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Golden Globes^®, won Best Picture at the Hamptons International Film Festival, and was Israel’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2015 Academy Awards^®.

GETT is expertly written and brilliantly acted (Ronit Elkabetz’s performance is a particular standout). Set entirely within the courtroom, GETT is riveting, infuriating, and spellbinding.

Directors Bios

With his sister Ronit, Israeli director Shlomi Elkabetz has co-directed the films TO TAKE A WIFE (2004), which won the Audience Award at the Venice Film Festival, and 7 DAYS (2008). He also directed the film TESTIMONY (2011).

Ronit Elkabetz is an Israeli actress and filmmaker, whose powerful films have appeared at SJFF for more than a decade. With her brother Shlomi she co-directed the films TO TAKE A WIFE (2004), which won the Audience Award at the Venice Film Festival, and 7 DAYS (2008). She won an Ophir Award for her performances in LATE MARRIAGE (2001) and THE BAND’S VISIT (2007

Guest Speaker

Eric Orlin is Professor of Classics at University of Puget Sound, where he teaches Greek and Roman history as well as classical languages. He has written two books on Roman religion, exploring connections between the construction of temples and the political system in Rome, and the role of foreign cults in helping to shape Roman identity. He is a member of New Israel Fund’s PNW Regional Council.

 Sponsors:

• Community Partners: Jewish Family Service of Seattle; New Israel Fund - Seattle