ONE WEEK AND A DAY
Shavua Ve Yom
Directed by Asaph Polonsky
Israel | 2016 | 98 min | comedy, drama | Hebrew
In the Jewish religion, a week of sitting Shiva (or mourning the deceased) is called for after a funeral. However, for Eyal and Vicky, a week is hardly enough time to properly mourn the loss of their 25-year-old son Ronnie. A married couple edging into the back half of middle age, the two find themselves reacting to the end of the Shiva in markedly different ways. A return to routine seems to be in order for Vicky, a teacher, as she finds herself back at school trying to abruptly kick out the substitute assigned in her stead. Meanwhile, shopkeeper Eyal opts for a total abdication of routine, as he steals his dead son’s bag of medical marijuana, and proceeds to get high, play ping-pong and judge air guitar routines with his neighbor’s stoner son Zooler.
As the world refuses to accommodate Vicky and Eyal’s sensitivities during their time of bereavement – – taxi drivers are still difficult, neighbors are still obnoxious, and grave diggers are just as indifferent as anyone else in the service industry – – the two grieving parents find themselves acting out in outlandish ways as they attempt to regain a sense of control over their lives.
Asaph Polonsky’s debut feature ONE WEEK AND A DAY juxtaposes the grieving process against the immutable fact that, despite the most painful losses imaginable, the world stops for no one’s mourning. With endearing performances from Shai Avivi and Evgenia Dodina as Eyal and Vicky, and Tomer Kapon as Zooler, ONE WEEK AND A DAY provides a nuanced perspective on loss that is as merciless as it is funny and insightful.
Cast & Crew
Director: Asaph Polonsky
Screenplay: Asaph Polonsky
Cinematography: Moshe Mishali
Editing: Tali Halter Shenkar
Cast: Shai Avivi (Eyal Spivak), Evgenia Dodina (Vicky Spivak), Tomer Kapon (Zooler), Alona Shauloff (Bar), Sharon Alexander (Shmulik Zooler), Carmit Mesilati-Kaplan (Keren Zooler), Uri Gavriel (Rafael)
Producers: Saar Yogev (Black Sheep Film Productions Ltd.), Naomi Levari (Black Sheep Film Productions Ltd.)
Asaph PolonskyUSA / Israel
Festivals & Awards
Semaine de la Critique Cannes – Gan Foundation Award for Distribution
Israeli Film Academy – Best Supporting Actor – Tomer Kapon
Jerusalem Film Festival – Best Film, Best Script, Best Debut, FIPRESCI Debut Award
Warsaw Jewish Film Festival – GRAND PRIX – CAMERA OF DAVID for the best film of the festival, Best long feature film, Best director, Best actress: Evgenia Dodina, Best music and sound: Ran Bagno
UK Jewish Film Festival Best Debut
AFI Fest – 1st runner – Audience Award
Oldenburg Film Festival – Seymour Cassel Award – Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
Sarasota Film Festival – Special Jury Prize – Best Narrative Feature
Transatlantyk Film Festival – Honorable Mention Award
Cinergia – Best International Debut
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Athens Film Festival
BFI London
Busan International Film Festival
Morelia Film Festival
Ljubljana International Film Festival
press quotes
Affecting and amusing in equal measure. Both confidently directed and beautifully played, with art-house distributors worldwide certain to take an interest in this first film. (…) Unexpectedly poetic and moving.
The Hollywood Reporter
A Moving Israeli Dramedy. Polonsky displays a rare patience for slow-burn comedy. (…) What’s true of Polonsky’s film is also true of life: A little laughter goes a long way.
Indiewire
