It feels so good when filmmakers target issues within their societies which need to be scrutinised.

Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz’s documentary film GETT, THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM is a prime example.

GETT, THE TRIAL OF VIVIAN AMSALEM charts the disturbing, even harrowing, journey of Israeli woman  Viviane Amsalem who after over ten years of marriage wants a Gett- the Hebrew  word for divorce. Under Jewish law in Israel, a divorce for a woman is no easy matter. She has to  get the consent of her husband and appear before a rabbinical court, with three Rabbis presiding, to have the application processed.

The couple appear before the Rabbinical court. Viviane’s husband, a priggish, dour, petulant character refuses to consent to the divorce.

The film then goes on to chart the long, agonising journey that Viviane, along with her dogged, hard working lawyer go through to achieve her goal. As well as her priggish husband Viviane has to contend with three very conservative, difficult Rabbis. What comes across so clearly is the patriarchal nature of religious society in Israel and how poorly women are treated in this supposably enlightened country.

GETT, for short, is wonderfully well  directed and acted. There is a very tight, claustrophobic tone to the film as the film is essentially shot in the court room and the adjoining foyer area.

This is an important film that deserves to reach a wide, international audience. Not surprisingly, the film has already received a major accolade, receiving the Best Film award at the 2014 Jerusalem Film Festival.

Divorce Israeli Style, it sure ain’t no walk in the park!

Presented by the Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF), GETT, THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALOM is currently screening at the Event Cinemas, Bondi Junction.