Watch Ushpizin

Ushpizin is a heartwarming drama film that explores the themes of faith, redemption, and the power of unconditional love. The movie is set in Jerusalem during the holiday of Sukkot and follows the story of Moshe (Shuli Rand) and his wife, Malli (Michal Bat-Sheva Rand), who are a childless orthodox Jewish couple struggling to make ends meet.

One day, Moshe and Malli receive an unexpected but welcome surprise in the form of a mysterious package of money left at their doorstep. With the newfound wealth, the couple decides to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot by building a temporary dwelling, called a sukkah, and inviting guests to share in their festivities.

However, their plans take an unexpected turn when two escaped convicts, Eliyahu (Shaul Mizrahi) and Yosef (Ilan Ganani), show up at their door, seeking refuge in their sukkah. Moshe and Malli are initially hesitant to allow the strangers into their home, but ultimately decide to show them kindness and embrace them as part of their celebration.

As the holiday progresses, Moshe and Malli encounter various challenges, both personal and spiritual, and must confront their own insecurities and shortcomings in order to fully embrace the joy and meaning of Sukkot. Meanwhile, Eliyahu and Yosef reveal their own personal struggles and demons, and force Moshe and Malli to confront their deep-seated beliefs about forgiveness and the power of repentance.

Ushpizin is a beautifully crafted film that explores complex themes with nuance and empathy. It is a powerful meditation on the importance of faith and community, and the transformative power of generosity and unconditional love. The performances by the cast, particularly Shuli Rand and Michal Bat-Sheva Rand, are deeply moving and authentic, conveying a sense of genuine emotional depth that is often missing in more conventional films.

What sets Ushpizin apart from other religious-themed dramas is its commitment to authenticity and realism. The film was shot on location in Jerusalem and features real Orthodox Jews in the cast and crew. As a result, the film has a natural authenticity that is often missing in mainstream films.

Overall, Ushpizin is a powerful and deeply moving film that celebrates the human capacity for compassion, forgiveness, and redemption. It is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of faith and spirituality, and for those who appreciate the transformative power of storytelling.

Ushpizin is a 2005 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 70.