Surrogate

Director: Tali Shalom Ezer
Israel 2008 57 mins
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles

Thirty-something Eli is desperate to overcome his relationship problems, and begins treatment with Hagar, a warm, charismatic sex therapist. As his ‘surrogate’, Hagar slowly teaches Eli what it means to be intimate both emotionally and physically, and succeeds in helping him tackle his personal demons, while in their own, clinical relationship, the boundaries of professionalism become increasingly hard for Eli to deal with.

Multi-layered, thoughtful script, gorgeous cinematography and the utterly compelling lead performances, make for a subtle, mature dissection of human frailty and interdependence. A highly accomplished first feature by recent Tel Aviv University graduate Tali Shalom Ezer that marks her out as a real talent to watch out for. DB

Screening with

Grown Up (Yalda Gdola)

Dir. Dana Neuberg | Israel | 2008 | 20 mins | Hebrew with English subtitles

Tel Aviv University, Film & TV Department

In the confusing time between childhood and adolescence, fifteen-year-old Shira discovers the world of sexuality, jealousy and seduction.