Valeria mithatenet
Two sisters reunite: Christina, the older of the two, moved to Israel some time ago for an arranged marriage, and now Valeria is supposed to do the same. So far, she has only seen her future husband via video chat. When she gets to meet him in person, the young Ukrainian is no longer convinced that her arranged marriage will provide the promised happiness. The older sister is also increasingly in doubt over her past decisions. Both sisters are forced to make fateful steps. (Festival information, Mannheim-Heidelberg 2022)
What happens in this film, and why, unfolds in a swirling, brilliantly constructed, written and directed drama with moments of humour, as well. A chamber play at its best, where not only interests and emotions collide, but also countries. Might freedom be more important than a comfortable life gained through an arranged marriage? The director observes her characters with lucidity and tenderness, especially the sisterhood bonding two women who seek emancipation between two countries: Israel and Ukraine.