Rama Burshtein’s Fill The Void is one of the more humane films to come along in a while. In depicting the knotted emotions that face 18-year-old Shira (Hadas Yaron) when her mother (Irit Sheleg) suggests that she marry Yochay (Yiftach Klein), the husband of her recently deceased sister, the writer/director cultivates a deep sympathy for each character, thereby strongly conveying the depth of an unusual struggle. Moreover, the heavy subject matter achieves its desired dramatic result without being bleak, an end that few contemporary films of this nature may boast. Saturated with strong performances and even some unexpected humor in the form of a rabbi doling out advice on appliances, the Israeli work is a powerful one whose impact may resonate all the way to awards season.
Grade: A-
Rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief smoking.
Fill The Void is currently playing at the Fine Arts Theatre on Biltmore Ave.