JIFF: Karaoke

The Story

Meir (Sasson Gabay) and Tova (Rita Shukrun) are a couple seemingly resigned to live out the rest of their semi-retirement in the comforts of an upscale apartment complex in suburban Tel Aviv. When Itsik (Lior Ashkenazi), a sexy bachelor from Miami, moves into the building’s penthouse, their lives are gleefully upended by his bohemian attitude and regular karaoke nights. Energised by their newfound friendship with Itsik, Meir and Tova undergo personal transformations, but will their relationship as a couple be a casualty of expressing their individual desires? When Itsik begins to pull away from Meir and Tova, the couple’s obsession with the bachelor grows into a full-blown identity crisis. What follows is an entertaining foray into masculinity, the institution of marriage, social status, narcissism and conformity. 

Winner of the Audience Award and Best First Film Award at Jerusalem Film Festival, Karaoke is an entertaining and optimistic portrait of self-discovery, laced with poignant wisdom and barbed humour. 

Winner of Best Actor (Sasson Gabay) and Best Actress (Rita Shukrun) at the 2022 Ophir Awards (Israeli Oscars) where it received 13 nominations.

Rating

E

Duration

Cast

Sasson Gabay, Rita Shukrun, Lior Ashkenazi

Director

Moshe Rosenthal