Movie spotlight
The Dybbuk of the Holy Apple Field
This mythic love story set in a timeless, lavishly colorful and mystical Jerusalem incorporates hard rock, striking set design, computer-generated imagery and modern-day tensions between the secular and the Orthodox worlds. Hanan, a handsome young traveler - who has pierced ears and wears grungy flannel shirts - falls in love with Lea, the beautiful daughter of a leader in the religious community. Unbeknownst to the couple, a deal was struck, years earlier, in which they were promised to each other by their fathers. When Hanan consults with a master of Kabbala, a set of mysteriously forbidden eleventh-century texts unleashes untold powers, merging the erotic with the divine and affirming love's infinite potential to transcend all obstacles. The lovers are played by Yehezkel Lazarov (Waltz with Bashir) and Ayelet Z'urer (Angels & Demons; Vantage Point). (from sfjff.org)
Insights
Plot Summary
A modern-day Polish professor, haunted by his past and the lingering effects of the Holocaust, travels to a remote village where he encounters a mysterious young woman. As he becomes entangled in her life and the village's dark secrets, he is confronted by a dybbuk, a demonic entity from Jewish folklore, which forces him to face his inner demons and unresolved traumas.
Critical Reception
The film received a mixed to positive reception, with critics often highlighting its atmospheric tension and philosophical depth, though some found its pacing uneven and its narrative somewhat obscure.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its unsettling atmosphere and exploration of guilt and memory.
Noted for its intellectual themes and blend of folklore with psychological drama.
Some reviews pointed to a challenging or elusive narrative structure.
Google audience: Audience reviews are not widely available or are difficult to aggregate for this specific film, making a general summary impossible.
Fun Fact
The film's director, Krzysztof Zanussi, is a prominent figure in Polish cinema and often explores complex philosophical and moral themes in his work.
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