Watch The Other Story

The Other Story is a 2018 Israeli drama film directed by Avi Nesher that revolves around the complex relationships within a modern family, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and religion. The film begins with one of the central characters, Anat Abadi (Joy Rieger), a rebellious young woman who has recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend, Udi (Nathan Goshen). Despite her secular upbringing, she finds solace in Judaism and decides to become religious. Anat's mother, Tali (Maya Dagan), a successful lawyer, is not very supportive of her daughter's newfound faith and sees it as a threat to the family's liberal worldview.

On the other side of the family, Anat's estranged father, Yonatan (Yuval Segal), is an intellectual who has recently become a devout Hasidic Jew. He is also dealing with the fallout of his failed marriage to Tali, who has custody of their daughter Anat. Yonatan sees Anat's religious conversion as a chance to reconcile with her and rebuild their relationship.

As the Abadi family prepares for Anat's wedding to a religious groom, tensions rise and secrets are revealed. The film explores the clash between different interpretations of Judaism, such as the traditional Hasidic way of life versus the more liberal, secular approach. It also touches on the challenges of balancing familial obligations with personal freedom and individuality.

One of the standout performances in the film comes from Sasson Gabay, who plays Shlomo, a charismatic rabbi and matchmaker who has a complicated history with Tali. Shlomo brings a lot of humor and heart to the film, often serving as a mediator between the different members of the Abadi family.

The Other Story is a visually stunning film, with lush cinematography and a great use of color and light to reflect the characters' emotional states. The soundtrack is also a highlight, featuring a mix of traditional Jewish music and contemporary Israeli pop.

Overall, The Other Story is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that will appeal to anyone interested in exploring the complexities of family relationships and Jewish identity. While it tackles serious themes, it never loses its sense of humor or its affection for its flawed, relatable characters.

The Other Story is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 68.