Watching movies is a great way to unwind, relax, and let yourself experience a healthy emotional release. However, with so many films being readily available for viewers, picking just one can get confusing.

Watching foreign movies is a great way to introduce yourself to a new style of filmmaking and also brush up on your language skills. Here are our favorite Israeli films that are not only visually appealing, but also deliver a strong and empowering message to their viewers. Click the headlines to see the previews for each of the respective movies.

Apples From The Desert (2014)

Who doesn’t love a good story about star-crossed lovers? This movie will have you feeling a rollercoaster of emotions as you follow the story of Rivka, an orthodox woman in Jerusalem, and Dubi, a liberal Israeli jew, as they navigate their love despite the different worlds they come from.

The movie, directed by Arik Lubetzi and Matti Harari, explores the conflicts the young lovers face within their Orthodox Jewish surroundings. We see Rivka challenge the preconceived ideas she grew up with and rejecting the life she once knew for love.

The film shows us the impact her decision has on her parents, as they slowly accept her decision and prioritize her happiness. It’s a beautifully poignant film that shows the power love possesses over family, religion, and society.

Working Woman – 2018

A film inspired by the #MeToo movement, Working Woman brings the struggles working women face to the forefront. Directed by Michal Aviad, a feminist and social justice advocate, this film shares the story of Orma, a young wife, and mother of three.

The film follows the life of Orma, a young woman raising her family with her husband, who is struggling to start his restaurant business. With hard times causing financial strains, Orma gets a job as a real estate developer to help her family. But then she starts getting uncomfortable around her boss, who is sexually inappropriate.

It’s an important film that shows the conflicts and struggles women face in the workplace and their efforts to rise above and become independent.  

Laces – 2018

There is nothing quite like the bond between a parent and their child. It rises above all challenges, and that’s precisely what Laces portrays through their heart-touching and emotional film about a special needs boy who loses his mother and starts to live with his estranged father.

The film, directed by Jacob Goldwasser, is one of his best works yet. Viewers are enamored by the whimsical and innocent charm that the young boy possesses, which soon wins over his father’s heart as he notices their relationship strengthening.

Want to brush up on your Hebrew so you can enjoy Israeli movies without the subtitles? Get in touch with us at Ulpan-Or. We provide virtual Hebrew language classes that will help you be proficient in the language in no time! Contact us today for more information.