Halisa
Synopsis
Every day, Sarah cares for other people’s babies at the Children’s Health Center in Haifa’s impoverished, multi-ethnic Halisa neighborhood, but she also yearns for a child of her own. After two years of failed attempts, her desperate desire for motherhood collides with the struggles of a young mother, culminating in a risky decision with potentially devastating consequences.
This moving story features a touching lead performance by acclaimed Israeli actress Noa Koler (“Rehearsals”, “Checkout”, “The Wedding Plan”).
Credits
Director(s)
Sophie Artus
Producer(s)
Yochana Kredo, Guy Jacoel
Executive Producer(s)
Linor Lavi, Irit Ben-Yehuda Lazar
Script
Sophie Artus
Cinematography
May Abadi Grebler
Editor
Boaz Lion
Cast
Noa Koler, Dana Bercovici, Anatoly Beliy
Sound Design
Yuval Bar-On
Produced with the help of
Israel Film Fund (R.A.), The Ministry of Culture and Sports, The Israel Film Council, Lottery Council for Culture and Art, Gesher Multicultural Film Fund
Festival Highlights
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WINNER
Honorable MentionHaifa International Film Festival2025
Mar del Plata International Film Festival, Argentina, Official Selection, 2024
Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles, USA, Official Selection, 2024
Haifa International Film Festival , Israel, Israeli Competition, 2025
Reviews
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"The award is granted for the multi-layered construction of a Haifa neighborhood as both a local location and a universal human microcosm. The female protagonist is strong, complex and evokes empathy. A variety of supporting characters are written and directed with a sensitive and confident hand, all in a compassionate, collaborative and touching way."
- From the Haifa International Film Festival Jury Motivation for Honorable Mention
