Seret Film Festival: Seven Blessings

שבע ברכות

Drama

Director: Ayelet Menahemi

Producers: Ronen Ben Tal, Moshe Edery, Leon Edery

Length: 108 min

Cast: Reimonde Amsalem, Smadar Sela, Tiki Dayan, Daniel Sabag, Idit Teperson, Rivka Bahar

Language: Hebrew, Arabic, French

When Marie was just two years old, her mother adhered to a common Moroccan custom and gifted her to her infertile sister. Fast forward 40 years, Marie finds herself traveling from France to Israel, where her family now resides, to marry her beloved. Amidst the warmth and excitement of her family, who are busy preparing for the tradition of the “Seven Blessings” – a week filled with celebratory meals in honor of the bride – Marie carries with her unresolved pain from the past. As the week unfolds, secrets and lies emerge, opening old wounds. Marie yearns for an apology, while her family believes she should be expressing gratitude. What was meant to be a week of celebration transforms into a bittersweet tale of family dynamics, forgiveness, and the weight of past grievances.

Directed by Ayelet Menahemi, Seven Blessings presents complex relationship dynamics against a backdrop of familial and communal oppression. Despite the heavy themes, the film retains wit and humor, as well as stunning performances from the cast.

Before the film screening, there is also a talk at 6:15pm by Marc Codron, Senior Director for the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian organization, The Joint (JDC’s). Marc is a resident of Israel’s south and will talk about Israel’s lesser known ‘other’ war being fought within its borders – the severe plight of the country’s most vulnerable citizens as victims of the Gaza war. Marc will share his personal experiences of loss, tragedy, miracles and bravery in the wake of the October 7 massacre, and of the new normal living with war on your doorstep.