1964 - 2016.
Ronit Elkabetz was an acclaimed Israeli actor, director, and screenwriter.
A multi-award-winning artist, she is celebrated as one of the most significant talents in the history of Israeli cinema. She is the only actress to have won the Ophir Award 3 times for Best Leading Actress.
Born to Moroccan immigrant parents, Elkabetz became a voice and symbol of Mizrahi femininity, often portraying oppressed characters that exposed the strength of the Mizrahi woman.
However, her impact extended far beyond awards: she was a cultural phenomenon, celebrated not only by audiences but also by Israeli leaders, including President Shimon Peres, who called her “an extraordinary cultural ambassador” and praised her for representing Israel with “great pride, creativity, and beauty.”*
Elkabetz’s filmography includes known films like Or (2004), The Band’s Visit (2007) - extract below-, and Sh’chur (1994), for which she received the Ofir Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Yet, her most remarkable work might be the trilogy she created with her brother, Shlomi Elkabetz. This series, which includes To Take a Wife (2004), The Seven Days (2009), and Gett: The Trial of Vivian Amsalem (2014), addresses the struggles of Mizrahi women in Jewish society and received international acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Elkabetz passed away in 2016 at the age of 51 after battling lung cancer, leaving behind a legacy deeply woven into the fabric of contemporary Israeli cinema.
Below is a short extract showcasing some of her scenes.
Article Written with the help of Naomi Marchese, video editor and cinema specialist.
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