Esther April 21, 2011

Amos Gitai’s first film plays with Biblical tales and cannily upends itself to become an incisive reflection on modern life. Starting with a retelling of the Purim story of Ahasuerus, Esther, and Mordecai, the film plays with narrative conventions to become a profound meditation on justice and revenge. When the linear telling of the story ends, the actors themselves discuss their own experiences in contemporary Israel, marking a stark contrast between the actors’ own lives and the revels of the holiday. (1986, 97 min. No MPAA rating. In Hebrew with English subtitles.)

Advance tickets: Available on site at the Skirball, online at www.skirball.org, or by phone at (877) SCC-4TIX or (877) 722-4849

Official Website: http://www.skirball.org/programs/film/title917