"The Seven Days""The Seven Days" (2008) 103min is directed by Shlomi and Ronit Elkabetz, the acclaimed Israeli actor whom we last saw in “The Band’s Visit.” In this emotional rollercoaster, she teams up with her brother Shlomi Elkabetz to direct a fascinating portrait of a Moroccan family as they gather to mourn the sudden death of their brother.

As Variety commented in its review when the film was shown at Cannes, “Since this is set in the Israeli town of Kiryat Yam during the 1991 Gulf War, mourners carry gas masks: between the high-pitched level of hysteria at the open tomb and the incongruous site of the black-clad figures hastily donning their masks, [the audience] can be expected to question whether to laugh or cry.”

Actor-director Ronit ElkabetzBut in the Ohayon family, tragedy has hit in more mundane circumstances as beloved Maurice, one of nine brothers and sisters, has suddenly died. The family gathers for the traditional seven days of mourning in which they are not allowed to leave the house. The intensity of this situation is a catalyst for more than just emotional support and communal grief. Jealousy, gossip, long-term rivalry and financial problems come to the fore, as each of the siblings is faced with his frustrated ambitions. Starring Ronit Elkabetz, Moshe Ivgi, Alon Aboutboul, Albert Ilouz, Keren Mor, Yael Abecassis, Hana Laslo. “The Seven Days” won Best Film and Best Actress awards in last year’s Jerusalem International Film Festival.

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