Orna Porat Movies
- 2001
A man looking to put his life back together finds himself caring for his mother in her final days in this emotional drama. Theatrical director Yehuda (Sharon Alexander) has reached an impasse in life after his relationship with his girlfriend collapses and his most recent play is a resounding flop. Yehuda decides to leave his adopted home in Paris and return to his birthplace in Israel, where he spends time with his mother (Orna Porat). Mother's health has been steadily failing, and her doctor (Yosi Segal) informs Yehuda that his previous diagnosis of her condition was not correct -- Mother has advanced cancer, and only a short time left to live. Not wanting to panic her in her last days, Yehuda opts to keep Mother's cancer a secret. Yehuda stays with Mother and cares for her, but when his sister Zillinka (Smadar Killtchinski) arrives, she's horrified at the decline in her health, and when Yehuda tells Zillinka that Mother has cancer, she's outraged at her brother's subterfuge, deciding that Mother must know the truth about her illness. Shkarim Levanim was the first feature film from director and screenwriter Itzhak Rubin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Orna Porat, Sharon Alexander, (more)
- 1997
Loosely based on a 1914 play by S. Ansky, this elaborate, ambitious, and unnerving fantasy from Israeli writer-director Yossi Somer juxtaposes a Romeo and Juliet romantic tragedy with a modernized tale of a "Dybbuk," a mischievous spirit from Yiddish folklore capable of releasing repressed desires in innocent young girls. The story focuses on the ill-fated romance between Hanan (Yehzekel Lazarov) and Lea (Ayelet Zurer) who, though promised for marriage by their families, are torn apart by the rift between their fathers' social and religious backgrounds. After attempts to win the favor of Lea's Orthodox father, Hanan joins a yeshiva and begins an intensive study of the enigmatic and complex mysticism of the Kabbalah, leading to surreal visions revealing his true spiritual link to Lea, his soulmate. Spurred by this newfound wisdom, Hanan renews his passionate pursuit of Lea... and not even death can prevent him from fulfilling his destiny. Equal parts supernatural horror, classic romance, and political allegory, this one-of-a-kind film is certain to provoke strong reactions from viewers, who will either be overwhelmed by its shocking imagery or mesmerized by its intricate, multi-layered storytelling. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ayelet Zurer, Yehezkel Lazarov, (more)
In this romantic drama set during World War II, David (Tom Hanks) is an American pilot serving with the Royal Air Force. While recovering from an injury in Jerusalem, David meets Sarah (Christina Marsillach), whose best friend is engaged to David's squadron leader. David and Sarah become fast friends and soon find they've fallen in love. However, Sarah's family are Sephardic Jews who are not enthusiastic about her seeing an American, particularly one whose father is a Protestant minister. While David and Sarah want to see their romance through, her family is just as determined to stop it, to the point of barricading her inside her room. Every Time We Say Goodbye marked the first English-speaking film role for Spanish star Christina Marsillach. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Hanks, Christina Marsillach, (more)
- 1985
An engaging family drama that highlights the effects of a father's personality on those closest to him, Ad Soff Halayla is speaking to wider issues of human relationships. Bernard (Yoseph Millo) is a lifetime agnostic, a respectable physician, and a man not given to showing emotion. Bernard marries Ruth (Orna Porath) in Germany, and they later emigrate to Israel. Years go by, and their grown son Giora (Assaf Dayan) is drummed out of the military on false charges. This nearly drives Giora to the brink because he had hoped for a military career, and so in order to survive he manages a bar in Tel Aviv -- and takes to philandering and drinking as well. Bernard's life is in shambles when Ruth tires of their staid existence and leaves to be on her own -- and now both father and son have to iron out the differences that separate them.
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Assaf Dayan, Orna Porat, (more)
- 1973
During World War II, unusual opportunities to escape the fate of most Jews sometimes presented themselves. In this film, a Jewish doctor who has founded an orphanage in the Warsaw Ghetto gets such an opportunity, but elects to remain with his charges even at the cost of his life. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
