Shoshana (film)

Last updated

Shoshana
Shoshana poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Michael Winterbottom
Screenplay by
Produced by
  • Massimo Di Rocco
  • Josh Hyams
  • Luigi Napoleone
Starring
Cinematography Giles Nuttgens
Production
companies
  • Vision Distribution
  • Revolution Films
  • Bartlebyfilm
Distributed by Altitude Film Distribution
Release dates
  • September 8, 2023 (2023-09-08)(TIFF)
  • February 23, 2024 (2024-02-23)(UK)
CountryUK
LanguageEnglish

Shoshana is a 2023 British biographical thriller film directed by Michael Winterbottom.

Contents

The film is set in 1930s/1940s British Mandatory Palestine and follows the tragic love story of Shoshana Borochov (Irina Starshenbaum), daughter of one of the founders of socialist Zionism, and British police officer Tom Wilkin (Douglas Booth), [1] while Wilkin and fellow police officer Geoffrey J. Morton (Harry Melling) [2] hunt for Zionist militant Avraham Stern (Aury Alby). [3]

Cast

Production

Winterbottom developed the film for many years. In 2010, Jim Sturgess, Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen were announced as its stars. While the film never entered production in 2010, Winterbottom did shoot documentary footage in Israel at the time with surviving participants in the events. [4]

Filming began in October 2021 in the town of Ostuni in Italy, which doubled for Tel Aviv. [5]

The screenplay was written by Winterbottom, Laurence Coriat and Paul Viragh. [6]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. [6] It was released by Altitude Film Distribution on 23 February 2024 in the UK. [7] It will be released in the US by Greenwich Entertainment later in 2024. [4]

Reception

The movie received a generally positive critical reception, holding a 70% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 27 reviews. [8] Ellen E. Jones gave the film four out of five stars in her review in The Observer . Jones described the film as "intelligent and compelling", continuing to praise it for "giving valuable insight into the variance of opinion within the era’s Zionist movement." [9] Film critic Mark Kermode also praised the film: "The fact that most of what the story tells us is actually true, I think gives it a kind of a real sense of bite that this relationship does become a microcosm of a much wider conflict." [10] John Nathan of The Jewish Chronicle wrote "Winterbottom deserves credit for conveying complexity on a subject where fervently held opinion much prefers simplicity." However, Nathan criticised the film for doing "nothing to reflect the huge proportion of modern Israel’s population that originates in the Middle East and Africa." [11] Hannah Brown of The Jerusalem Post felt that the scope of the story and setting was better suited to a miniseries format: "But somehow, the wide canvas here doesn’t present a satisfying picture, despite the echoes of the conflict that continue till today. I almost wished this were a mini-series rather than a movie, so each character could be developed further. Tel Aviv of this era was so complex, that it defeats this attempt to tell its story in two hours." [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wolfgang Petersen</span> German filmmaker (1941–2022)

Wolfgang Petersen was a German filmmaker. He was nominated for two Academy Awards for the World War II submarine warfare film Das Boot (1981). His other films include The NeverEnding Story (1984), Enemy Mine (1985), In the Line of Fire (1993), Outbreak (1995), Air Force One (1997), The Perfect Storm (2000), Troy (2004), and Poseidon (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Winterbottom</span> English film director

Michael Winterbottom is an English film director. He began his career working in British television before moving into features. Three of his films—Welcome to Sarajevo, Wonderland and 24 Hour Party People—have competed for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He and co-director Mat Whitecross won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival for their work on The Road to Guantanamo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Melling (actor)</span> British actor (born 1989)

Harry Edward Melling is an English actor known for playing Dudley Dursley in five Harry Potter films and Harry Beltik in The Queen's Gambit. His grandfather was actor Patrick Troughton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayelet Zurer</span> Israeli actress

Ayelet Zurer is an Israeli actress. Regarded as one of the best performers of her generation in Israel, she is recognized for her versatile work across independent films, blockbusters and television. She has received numerous accolades, including Best Actress at the Israeli Academy Awards for her role in Nina's Tragedies (2003). In 2006 and 2013, the Israeli Academy of Television awarded her Best Actress awards for her performances in BeTipul and Hostages.

<i>Wonderland</i> (1999 film) 1999 British film

Wonderland is a 1999 British drama film directed by Michael Winterbottom. The film stars Ian Hart, Shirley Henderson, Kika Markham, Gina McKee, Molly Parker, Jack Shepherd, John Simm, Stuart Townsend, Enzo Cilenti, and Sarah-Jane Potts.

<i>Everyday</i> (film) 2012 British film

Everyday is a 2012 British drama film co-written and directed by Michael Winterbottom. Known during its lengthy production variously as Seven Days and then Here and There, the film stars John Simm as a man named Ian who is imprisoned for drug smuggling and charts his relationship with his wife Karen, played by Shirley Henderson.

Revolution Films is a British film production company, founded by producer Andrew Eaton and director Michael Winterbottom. They have produced a number of film and television productions since 1994, including Jude (1996), 24 Hour Party People (2002), 9 Songs (2004), Rush (2013) and The Trip (2010).

<i>Out in the Dark</i> 2012 Israeli film

Out in the Dark is a 2012 Israeli romantic drama film which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2012 and in Israel in the Haifa International Film Festival in October 2012. It is the directorial debut of Michael Mayer.

<i>The Face of an Angel</i> Template for Amanda Knox

The Face of an Angel is a 2014 British psychological thriller directed by Michael Winterbottom and written by Paul Viragh. The film was inspired by the book Angel Face, drawn from crime coverage by Newsweek/Daily Beast writer Barbie Latza Nadeau. The film stars Kate Beckinsale, Daniel Brühl, and Cara Delevingne.

<i>Exposed</i> (2016 film) 2016 American film

Exposed is a 2016 American thriller film, written and directed by Gee Malik Linton, in his directorial debut. The film stars Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Christopher McDonald, Big Daddy Kane, and Mira Sorvino. The film was released in a limited release and through video on demand on January 22, 2016, by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoshana Borochov</span> Zionist

Shoshana Borochov was the daughter of Ber Borochov, one of the founders of socialist Zionism. For over a decade she was married to Thomas James Wilkin, an Assistant Superintendent in the Criminal Investigation Department of the Palestine Police, who was assassinated by the Lehi on September 29, 1944.

<i>I.S.S.</i> (film) 2023 film by Gabriela Cowperthwaite

I.S.S. is a 2023 American science fiction thriller film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and written by Nick Shafir. The film stars Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, John Gallagher Jr., Masha Mashkova, Costa Ronin, and Pilou Asbæk.

<i>Beau Is Afraid</i> 2023 film by Ari Aster

Beau Is Afraid is a 2023 American surrealist tragicomedy horror film written, directed, and co-produced by Ari Aster. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as the title character, and also includes a supporting ensemble cast consisting of Patti LuPone, Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan, Kylie Rogers, Parker Posey, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Hayley Squires, Michael Gandolfini, Zoe Lister-Jones, Armen Nahapetian, and Richard Kind. Its plot follows the mild-mannered but paranoia-ridden Beau as he embarks on a surreal odyssey to get home to his mother's funeral, realizing his greatest fears along the way.

<i>Hit & Run</i> (TV series) 2021 Netflix Original television series

Hit & Run is an Israeli-American thriller television series created and written by Avi Issacharoff, Lior Raz, Dawn Prestwich, and Nicole Yorkin. The series premiered on 6 August 2021 on Netflix. In September 2021, the series was canceled after one season.

Irina Vladimirovna Starshenbaum is a Russian actress. For her role in T-34, she won the TEFI award for Best Actress and was a nominee for the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress.

Based on a True Story is an American comedy thriller television series created by Craig Rosenberg, starring Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina. The series premiered on Peacock on June 8, 2023. In October 2023, the series was renewed for a second season.

<i>Monolith</i> (2022 film) 2022 Australian film

Monolith is a 2022 Australian science-fiction thriller film directed by Matt Vesely from a script written by Lucy Campbell, and produced by Bettina Hamilton. Described as high-concept science fiction, it stars Lily Sullivan, the only on-screen actor in the film, as a journalist uncovering a mystery.

References

  1. ↑ Vourlias, Christopher (18 August 2022). "Michael Winterbottom Says 'No Regrets' About Setting Sky's COVID-19 Drama 'This England' Before Boris Johnson's Downfall". Variety. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  2. ↑ Wise, Damon (30 August 2023). "Michael Winterbottom Talks About His Period Drama 'Shoshana' Ahead of Its TIFF World Premiere: "Where We Know The Facts, We've Stuck To The Facts"". Deadline. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ↑ "Michael Winterbottom says Boris Johnson series 'This England' not revised after partygate revelations". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  4. 1 2 Ntim, Zach (14 December 2023). "Michael Winterbottom Drama 'Shoshana' Lands U.S. Deal". Deadline. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  5. ↑ Cellie, Flavio. ""The Promised Land", un thriller ad Ostuni come fossimo a Tel Aviv". La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno (in Italian). Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Shoshana". TIFF. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "Altitude Films - Shoshana". Altitude Films. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  8. ↑ "Shoshana". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  9. ↑ Jones, Ellen E. (26 February 2024). "Shoshana review – Michael Winterbottom's compelling romantic thriller set in 30s Palestine". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  10. ↑ Mark Kermode reviews Shoshana - Kermode and Mayo's Take. February 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024– via YouTube.
  11. ↑ Nathan, John (22 February 2024). "Shoshana: 'It's not even-handed when it comes to depicting Jewish victims of violence'". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  12. ↑ Brown, Hannah (31 January 2024). "New film 'Shoshana' tells a love story in the shadow of history - review". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.