Winner of the 2004 Best Actor award at the 2004 Israeli Film Academy for writer-star Shuli Rand, Ushpizin is a heart warming and light hearted look at the daily lives of ultra-Orthodox Jews learning, living and loving in modern-day Israel. Following the story of a family facing hardships, they must rely on their faith for miracles to happen during the holiday season. Inspiring, heartwarming and uplifting, Ushpizin is a critically acclaimed film that regardless of faith or religion, everybody can enjoy.
A cinematic fable set in the orthodox Jewish world, Ushpizin follows a poor childless devout man named Moshe (Shuli Rand) and his wife Malli (Michal Bat Sheva Rand, Shuli's real-life spouse) who can't afford a succah, the temporary dwelling required by the Succoth holiday. Suddenly a friend helps them find a succah and an anonymous donation rescues them from debt; Moshe believes the Lord has smiled on him at last and celebrates by buying a particularly beautiful citron (a lemon-like fruit) for the Succoth observations. But when a couple of escaped convicts appear--one of whom knows Moshe from his old neighborhood--they insinuate themselves into Moshe and Malli's hospitality and quickly abuse it, threatening the couple's marriage and testing their faith. Like many Jewish stories, Ushpizin balances an almost fairy-tale story with psychologically real characters (made all the more vivid thanks to the uniformly excellent performances) and complex social conflict. The movie provides a fascinating look into a closed community--though its insider's perspective may seem initially opaque to many viewers, the personalities and conflicts soon become accessible to anyone. A unique, intriguing film. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Rating:
Summary: A Secular Look at Religion
Comment: "HaUshpizin"

A Secular Look at Religion

Amos Lassen

"HaUshpizin" is one of the films from Israel that ushered in a new age of cinema for the small country. It gives a positive depiction of the ultra-Orthodox lifestyle and it is a pleasure to see; a fable with great hidden depth.
Sukkot, the feast of huts, is a Jewish holiday that lasts for seven days and during which Orthodox Jews celebrate the essentials of life in a temporary hut built adjacent to their home. The hut represents deprivation (as it was it in the Exodus) and hospitality (as it is today when friends are invited over).
Moshe and Mali have been married almost five years; they have no children. They also have no money and devote their prayers to a miracle. Moshe was lucky enough to find an abandoned hut to use for the holiday and he receives charity from a local agency. One of the traditions of Sukkot is that of ushpizin, the inviting of guests. Because they are so poor, Moshe and Mali cannot invite anyone but to their surprise two guests appear. Two escaped convicts find their way to the house just on time to be the ushpizin. At first this is taken as a miracle but as time passes, the miracle becomes a trial.
The ushpizin, Eliyahu and Yosef are friends from Moshe's pre-religious life and since Moshe and Mali have no money, they are in an uncomfortable position to provide hospitality especially when they realize that the guests are completely opposed and intolerant to the attitudes of religious life. Moshe belongs to sect of the Breslov tradition which maintains very strict rules. One of their characteristics is practicing love and outreach.
The couple's faith is tested repeatedly during the holiday and the film manages to retain and build dramatic tension and it portrays strong emotions which include frustration, anger, gratitude, love and faith and it does so without sentimentality.
Moshe and Mali are played by actors, Shuli Rand and Michal Bat Sheva Rand, who are married and religious in reality. The love they feel for each other is felt throughout the film.
We also see the Jerusalem of today as it really is full of material poverty and spiritual wealth. It is home to a community that cares but does so imperfectly but finds joy in the fulfilling of commandments. This is a personal film and director Giddi Gar gives us a beautifully universal story.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Hasidic Intrigue
Comment: Providing funny in-site into a traditional Jewish community, this movie ends in intrigue.

It is unclear who is fathered a long-awaited boy: an orthodox major movie character or a friend of him, a convict-on-run abusing Jewish rules and hospitality.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Funny and interesting.
Comment: This is a fun movie.
The acting is excellent.
The film quality very good.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: ushpizin
Comment: wonderful story to help understand the practice of Shavuot and the complexity of faith. Gave us some great insights and a cute story besides. recommend the DVD.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Four thumps up! Mamish the best!
Comment: Fantastic movie about people who use their striving for a higher truth to create relationships and deal with difficulties. These people are humble and spiritually superior. You'll be engaged in their struggles and enjoy the light touch and humor.

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