Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem is a 2014 Israeli-French drama film directed by siblings Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz. The film is a harrowing tale of an Israeli woman's fight to obtain a divorce from her husband, who refuses to grant her one. The story is set in Israel, where Jewish law requires a man to grant his wife a divorce, known as a "gett", in order for the couple to legally separate and move on with their lives.
The film primarily takes place in a rabbinical court, where Viviane Amsalem (played impeccably by Ronit Elkabetz) spends five years navigating the ancient and patriarchal legal system of Jewish divorce. As her husband Elisha (Simon Abkarian) continually refuses to grant her a gett, Viviane navigates a convoluted and bureaucratic court system, which sees her presented as the one to blame for the breakdown of the marriage.
Over the course of the trial, Viviane confronts not only the court, but also her own family and friends, who pressure her to return to her husband and compromise on her demands. The film illustrates the power dynamics at play within a religious and male-dominated society, where a woman's quest for freedom becomes a battle for her very identity and dignity.
Despite the film's heavy subject matter, it manages to balance its political commentary with beautiful cinematography and nuanced performances. The camera work effectively brings the viewer into the claustrophobic world of the rabbinical court, and Ronit Elkabetz's striking performance successfully conveys the weight of Viviane's struggle.
Overall, Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem is a captivating, haunting, and deeply emotional film that sheds light on an often-overlooked element of Israeli society. It serves as a poignant critique of the ways in which patriarchal systems continue to enforce male dominance over women, even in the modern world.