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Cabaret Total

  • Israel, Kosovo
  • Feature
  • 2024
  • 91 min.
  • Director(s): Roy Assaf
  • Producer(s): Moshe Edery, Leon Edery, Kobi Mizrahi

Synopsis

Haunted by PTSD after his IDF combat duty, drama teacher Asi returns to his quiet hometown and stages a seemingly naïve cabaret. His fragile life unravels when a classroom video of him criticizing the Israeli army goes viral, branding him a public enemy and costing him his job. Yet, Asi transforms his cabaret into a potent artistic weapon. Lauded by critics as a masterpiece and anchored by Roy Assaf’s virtuosic performance, the film uniquely blends satire and surrealism, maintaining a playful tone while expressing a powerful statement.

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Credits

Director(s)

Roy Assaf

Producer(s)

Moshe Edery, Leon Edery, Kobi Mizrahi

Co-Producer(s)

Valon Bajgora, Gazmend Nela

Script

Roy Assaf, Omri Van Essen

Cinematography

Saar Mizrahi

Editor

Shai Blanc-Mashiach

Original Music

Adi Deutsch

Cast

Roy Assaf, Ornella Bess, Uri Gavriel, Albert Illouz

Original Language

Hebrew

Subtitles

Hebrew, English

Sound Designer

Labinot Sponca

Production Companies

United King Films, KM Productions, Ikone Studio

Produced with the help of:

The Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts, The New Fund for Cinema and TV, United King Films

Festival Highlights

  • WINNER

    Honorable Mention
    Mar Del Plata International Film Festival
    2024

  • WINNER

    Artistic Achievement Award
    Haifa International Film Festival
    2025

  • WINNER

    Best Cinematography
    Israeli Academy Awards
    2025

  • WINNER

    Best Makeup
    Israeli Academy Awards
    2025

SERET Film Festival, UK, Official Selection, 2025

Reviews

  • "★★★★ Fellini was reborn in the South of Israel."
    - Avner Shavit, Walla!
  • "★★★★★ Artistic breakthrough. Wonderful acting."
    - Marlyn Vinig, Portfolio
  • "★★★★ Cinematic, virtuoso, staggering. Made from materials from a cult film."
    - Yair Raveh, Cinemascope
  • "★★★★★ Masterpiece. One of the best films made in Israel in recent years."
    - Yonatan Gat, Kan 11
  • "★★★★★ An exciting and powerful film, Roy Assad is doing the role of his life."
    - Albert Gabay, Cinema-Action
  • "★★★★ A precise combination of surrealist cabaret in the heart of the desert and topical satire."
    - Shmulik Duvdevani, ynet
  • "★★★★ Exciting, interesting, and full of layers."
    - Shany Litman, Haaretz

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