A gett, as it pertains to this story, is a ritual Jewish divorce. As portrayed in this film, it's a years-long experience for Viviane Amsalem (Ronit Elkabetz) who appeals to a Jewish court to obtain divorce documents. But in Jewish law, if neither party has violated the marriage contract, a divorce is not sanctioned.
I saw this film on a whim years ago, and the experience has stayed with me ever since. It's a harrowing portrayal of a restrictive court system that still exists in society today, where a woman restrictive rights in a patriarchal system. Directed by sibling duo Ronit and Shlomi Elkabetz, the film is an oppressive experience, never leaving the sanitized, plain, white-walled courtrooms. We check in with Viviane over the years and years of battling for her case, each time revealing more about why she is so desperate to end her marriage.
One important role the movies can fill is to educate us on situations and events that we may be ignorant of; to showcase injustices or regressive practices, and make us empathize with the wronged. A film like Gett is important to me because not only is it a masterpiece, it's a learning experience, a film that broadens my understanding of the world while gripping me in an emotional story. It's perfectly fine to have more mindless fare (there certainly are some lighter films on my list), but I also value films that provide me with a new perspective, and I encourage all to check out this stellar film.
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