Ushpizin

Ushpizin (Hebrew: האושפיזין, romanized: HaUshpizin, lit. 'The Sukkot guests') is a 2004 Israeli film directed by Gidi Dar and written by Shuli Rand. The film was shot at the Schneller Compound and the Rand family’s home in Jerusalem, where some neighborhood residents participated in the production. It was made with special permits from rabbis. As part of the agreement with the rabbis, the film was not screened in cinemas on the Sabbath. The movie portrays the atmosphere and lifestyle of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods with considerable accuracy, showcasing typical characters and incorporating authentic expressions spoken by the actors. It was produced with the support of the Gesher Multicultural Film Fund. The lead actors are Shuli Rand and his then-wife Michal Bat-Sheva Rand, alongside Shaul Mizrahi, Ilan Ganani, Avraham Abutbul, and others. The film's title is based on the concept of Ushpizin, which is associated with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.