In honor of International Women’s Day, VALERIA IS GETTING MARRIED, a film about sisters, trust, and perpetual love. Courtesy of m-appeal.Nominated for 14 Ophir Awards and Official Selection at prestigious film festivals like Toronto and Venice, VALERIA IS GETTING MARRIED is, without a doubt, a must-see! PJFM is pleased to present this special sneak preview as part of International Women’s Day.
Christina (Lena Fraifeld) is a smiley, carefree Ukrainian woman living in Israel with her husband, Michael (Yaakov Zada Daniel). Their marriage was arranged, and although this isn’t a traditional romance, it works enough for her. She is content enough with her life and wishes the same for her younger sister, Valeria (Dasha Tvoronovich), so much so that she has already arranged for her to marry the shy but endearing Eitan (Avraham Shalom Levi), another Israeli man. Valeria, who has barely spoken to her soon-to-be husband, arrives at her sister and brother-in-law’s apartment to officially take the next step in her life. She is appreciative of her sister’s intentions, but lurking behind those trepidatious eyes is an increasing level of doubt and fear. Is this arranged marriage a blessing in disguise or a disaster waiting to happen?
Set over the course of one day, VALERIA IS GETTING MARRIED has astounded audiences and critics across the globe with its tense setting, intelligent writing, and top-notch performances from its minimal cast. Writer/director Michal Vinik, who took home the Ophir Award (Israeli Oscar) for Best Screenplay, has created a powerful tale of two women willing to decide for themselves and not fall victim to society’s demands. Her movie is richly nuanced, sometimes dark but also oddly comical at parts. Overall, she has made a film about the unbreaking bond of sisterhood. Never for a moment does Valeria’s dubiousness displease her older sister. Christina, having been a mail order bride herself, is there to comfort her sibling, no matter how loud the outside voices may get. Nothing will hinder her from protecting her baby sister.
VALERIA IS GETTING MARRIED premieres Wednesday, March 8, 7 PM at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. For tickets, visit PhillyJFM.org/Valeria-Is-Getting-Married.