It's a tragic comedy set in the 2000s in Jerusalem, Israel. It follows two academics, father and son, and their relationship when a prize intended for the son is accidentally given to the father.
Eliezer Shkolnik (Shlomo Bar Aba) is a philologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who has studied details of the Jerusalem Talmud's textual history for decades. After years of study, he prepared primary research on an earlier version of the Jerusalem Talmud. However, a scholarly rival, Yehuda Grossman (Micah Lewensohn), accidentally stumbled on a copy of the earlier text and published his research before Eliezer. Ever since, Eliezer has worked in obscurity, never receiving the recognition he believes he deserves.
Eliezer is married to Yehudit (Alisa Rosen), but they sleep separately, and Eliezer may have an emotional relationship with a female colleague at Hebrew Union. Their son, Uriel (Lior Ashkenazi), is a celebrated academic at the same school, though Eliezer considers Uriel's scholarship superficial. Uriel's wife, Dikla (Alma Zack), considers Eliezer rigid and describes him as autistic.
The film follows the awkward relationship between Uriel and Eliezer, especially after the Ministry of Education erroneously calls Eliezer to say he has won the "Israel Prize" for his scholarship. Uriel learns of the mistake but fiercely defends his father's selection. He is then deeply hurt by Eliezer's comments in a newspaper interview.
This film is delightful, partly because it sheds light on competition within the academic world. Uriel's meeting with the prize selection committee in a tiny room where everyone has to stand up and move chairs to enter or exit the room is priceless. The academic offices and home libraries overflowing with papers and books are a scream. Bar Aba, Ashkenazi, Rosen, and Lewensohn are excellent in their roles. Highly recommended.
Eliezer Shkolnik (Shlomo Bar Aba) is a philologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who has studied details of the Jerusalem Talmud's textual history for decades. After years of study, he prepared primary research on an earlier version of the Jerusalem Talmud. However, a scholarly rival, Yehuda Grossman (Micah Lewensohn), accidentally stumbled on a copy of the earlier text and published his research before Eliezer. Ever since, Eliezer has worked in obscurity, never receiving the recognition he believes he deserves.
Eliezer is married to Yehudit (Alisa Rosen), but they sleep separately, and Eliezer may have an emotional relationship with a female colleague at Hebrew Union. Their son, Uriel (Lior Ashkenazi), is a celebrated academic at the same school, though Eliezer considers Uriel's scholarship superficial. Uriel's wife, Dikla (Alma Zack), considers Eliezer rigid and describes him as autistic.
The film follows the awkward relationship between Uriel and Eliezer, especially after the Ministry of Education erroneously calls Eliezer to say he has won the "Israel Prize" for his scholarship. Uriel learns of the mistake but fiercely defends his father's selection. He is then deeply hurt by Eliezer's comments in a newspaper interview.
This film is delightful, partly because it sheds light on competition within the academic world. Uriel's meeting with the prize selection committee in a tiny room where everyone has to stand up and move chairs to enter or exit the room is priceless. The academic offices and home libraries overflowing with papers and books are a scream. Bar Aba, Ashkenazi, Rosen, and Lewensohn are excellent in their roles. Highly recommended.