Fill the Void
Fill the Void (Hebrew: למלא את החלל - lemale et ha'ḥalal) is a 2012 Israeli drama film written and directed by Rama Burshtein. It focuses on life among the Haredi Jewish community in Tel Aviv, Israel. Hadas Yaron stars as Shira Mendelman, an 18-year-old girl who is pressured to marry her older sister's husband, following the death of her sister in childbirth.
| Fill the Void | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Rama Burshtein |
| Written by | Rama Burshtein |
| Produced by | Assaf Amir |
| Starring | Hadas Yaron Chaim Sharir Ido Samuel Irit Sheleg Yiftach Klein Hila Feldman |
| Cinematography | Asaf Sudry |
| Edited by | Sharon Elovic |
| Music by | Yitzhak Azulay |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics (US) |
Release dates |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Israel |
| Language | Hebrew |
| Box office | $2.4 million |
The film required a lengthy production period, taking over a year for the casting to be completed, and another year and three months for editing. Burshtein, who was doubtful as to how much of the process would be completed, took a step-by-step approach, focusing first on the writing, then on accumulating enough funding for the project, followed by the filming and editing. Burshtein became the first Haredi Jewish woman to direct a film intended for wide distribution. The film premiered at the 69th Venice Film Festival on 1 September 2012, and was later released in the United States on 24 May 2013.
Fill the Void was well received by critics for its depiction of Haredi Jews and their lifestyle. It won seven Israeli Academy Awards, and lead actress Hadas Yaron won Best Actress for her portrayal of Shira at the Venice Film Festival.