Ronit Elkabetz
Encyclopedia
Ronit Elkabetz is an Israel
i actress and filmmaker. She works in both Israeli and French cinema. She has won three Ophir Awards and has received a total of seven nominations.
in 1964 to a religious Moroccan Jewish family. She grew up in Kiryat Yam. Her mother was a hairdresser and her father was a postal employee. Her mother spoke French
and Arabic
, but her father insisted on speaking only Hebrew. She never studied acting and started her career as a model. She divides her time between her homes in Paris
and Tel Aviv. She got married on 25 June 2010.
, who later became her partner. They both starred in Gidi Dar's Eddie King in 1992. In 1994 she starred in Sh'Chur
, for which she won the Israeli Film Academy (Ophir) Award. In 1995 she wrote with her partner, Haim Buzaglo, the script for Scar, in which she also starred, and for which she learned French. In 1996 she starred in Amos Gitai
's Metamorphosis of a Melody
.
In 1997 she moved to Paris
, France
, to study in Ariane Mnouchkine
's Théâtre du Soleil
. During that period, she supported herself as a waitress. She did a one-woman show on the life of the choreographer Martha Graham
at the Avignon Festival.
In 2001 she starred in the French film Origine contrôlée
, and won her second Ophir Award for Late Marriage. In 2003 she teamed again with Gitai on Alila
. In 2004 she was nominated for an Ophir Award for Or (My Treasure)
, and starred in the Israeli legal drama series Franco and Spector.
In 2004 she wrote, directed (with her brother, Shlomi Elkabetz) and starred in the semi-autobiographic film To Take a Wife
, for which she was again nominated for an Ophir Award. In 2006 she also starred in the Israeli drama series Parashat HaShavua.
In 2007 she starred in Eran Kolirin
's The Band's Visit
, for which she won her third Ophir Award.
In 2008 she and Shlomi finished their second film, Shiva ("Seven Days"), which won the Wolgin Award for Best Feature Film at the 2008 Jerusalem Film Festival
.
In 2009 she starred alongside Catherine Deneuve
in André Téchiné
's La Fille du Rer. Her other recent French projects have included Ashes and Blood
, Turk's Head
and Les mains libres
. In 2010 she received an Ophir Award nomination for Best Actress for her work in Mabul
, . She was recently the subject of Nir Bergman's documentary A Stranger in Paris.
In May 2010, Ronit Elkabetz received the France Culture award at the Cannes Film Festival
, a prize awarded to filmmakers for quality work and social involvement. The judges described her as a "woman teeming with passion and erotica, who can even play the queen of Egypt."
Pascal Elbé
director of Turk's Head
cited his enthusiasm for casting Elkabetz. "I chose an actress who reminds me of those great Italian stars of the postwar period, like Anna Magnani
."
It was recently announced that Elkabetz will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Israeli Film Academy for her contribution to Israeli cinema.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i actress and filmmaker. She works in both Israeli and French cinema. She has won three Ophir Awards and has received a total of seven nominations.
Biography
Elkabetz was born in BeershebaBeersheba
Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the seventh-largest city in Israel with a population of 194,300....
in 1964 to a religious Moroccan Jewish family. She grew up in Kiryat Yam. Her mother was a hairdresser and her father was a postal employee. Her mother spoke French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, but her father insisted on speaking only Hebrew. She never studied acting and started her career as a model. She divides her time between her homes in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Tel Aviv. She got married on 25 June 2010.
Acting and directing career
Her first film appearance was in The Intended (1990) next to Shuli RandShuli Rand
Shalom "Shuli" Rand is an Israeli film actor, writer, and singer. He is a Haredi Jew and is best known in the English-speaking world for his acting his role as the protagonist in Ushpizin as well as being the writer of the movie.-Personal history:Rand was born Shalom Rand and raised in Bnei...
, who later became her partner. They both starred in Gidi Dar's Eddie King in 1992. In 1994 she starred in Sh'Chur
Sh'Chur (film)
Sh'Chur is a 1994 Israeli drama film starring Gila Almagor and Ronit Elkabetz. It was directed by Shmuel Hasfari. It was also the 1994 official Israeli submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film...
, for which she won the Israeli Film Academy (Ophir) Award. In 1995 she wrote with her partner, Haim Buzaglo, the script for Scar, in which she also starred, and for which she learned French. In 1996 she starred in Amos Gitai
Amos Gitai
Amos Gitai , born 11 October 1950 in Haifa, Israel, is an Israeli filmmaker and director. He is mainly known for making documentaries and experimental / minimalist feature films...
's Metamorphosis of a Melody
Metamorphosis of a Melody
Metamorphosis of a Melody is a 1996 Israeli drama film by Amos Gitai. The film starring Ronit Elkabetz and Samuel Fuller is based on The Jewish War by Josephus. It is a cinematic realisation of stage-based productions by Gitai.-Plot:The film follows Jewish resistance as they face a series of...
.
In 1997 she moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, to study in Ariane Mnouchkine
Ariane Mnouchkine
Ariane Mnouchkine is a world-renowned French stage director. She founded the Parisian avant-garde stage ensemble Théâtre du Soleil in 1964. She has written and directed 1789 and Molière , and in 1989, she directed La Nuit Miraculeuse...
's Théâtre du Soleil
Théâtre du Soleil
Le Théâtre du Soleil is a Parisian avant-garde stage ensemble founded by Ariane Mnouchkine, Philippe Léotard and fellow students of the L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in 1964 as a collective of theatre artists. Le Théâtre du Soleil is located at La Cartoucherie, a former munitions...
. During that period, she supported herself as a waitress. She did a one-woman show on the life of the choreographer Martha Graham
Martha Graham
Martha Graham was an American modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared with the influence Picasso had on modern visual arts, Stravinsky had on music, or Frank Lloyd Wright had on architecture.She danced and choreographed for over seventy years...
at the Avignon Festival.
In 2001 she starred in the French film Origine contrôlée
Origine contrôlée
Origine contrôlée is a 2001 French comedy-drama film starring Ronit Elkabetz. It is also the debut French-language picture to star Elkabetz, famous for Hebrew-language roles in her native Israel. Elkabetz acquired French fluency after moving to France in 1997. The film was written and directed by...
, and won her second Ophir Award for Late Marriage. In 2003 she teamed again with Gitai on Alila
Alila
Alila is a 2003 Israeli film directed by Amos Gitai and starring Yaël Abecassis, Uri Klauzner, and Hanna Laslo. The drama follows half a dozen very different characters through their lives in modern day Israel, giving Gitai an opportunity to comment on his country's top social issues.The film...
. In 2004 she was nominated for an Ophir Award for Or (My Treasure)
Or (My Treasure)
Or is a 2004 drama film starring Dana Ivgy in the title role of Or, a teenager who struggles to be responsible for her prostitute mother Ruthie, played by Ronit Elkabetz...
, and starred in the Israeli legal drama series Franco and Spector.
In 2004 she wrote, directed (with her brother, Shlomi Elkabetz) and starred in the semi-autobiographic film To Take a Wife
To Take a Wife
To Take a Wife is a 2004 drama film. It is the directorial debut of veteran actress, Ronit Elkabetz who also stars in the film...
, for which she was again nominated for an Ophir Award. In 2006 she also starred in the Israeli drama series Parashat HaShavua.
In 2007 she starred in Eran Kolirin
Eran Kolirin
Eran Kolirin is an Israeli screenwriter and film director.His directorial debut and as of 2008 his only feature-length film is The Band's Visit . The film was a critical success, winning eight Awards of the Israeli Film Academy and prizes at several international film festivals...
's The Band's Visit
The Band's Visit
The Band's Visit is an acclaimed 2007 Israeli film directed by Eran Kolirin.The Band's Visit was Israel's original Foreign Language Film submission for the 80th Academy Awards, but was rejected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences because it contained over 50% English dialogue...
, for which she won her third Ophir Award.
In 2008 she and Shlomi finished their second film, Shiva ("Seven Days"), which won the Wolgin Award for Best Feature Film at the 2008 Jerusalem Film Festival
Jerusalem Film Festival
The Jerusalem Film Festival is an international film festival held annually in Jerusalem, Israel. The festival was the brainchild of Lia van Leer, who inaugurated it on May 17, 1984...
.
In 2009 she starred alongside Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve is a French actress. She gained recognition for her portrayal of aloof and mysterious beauties in films such as Repulsion and Belle de jour . Deneuve was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in Indochine; she also won César Awards for that...
in André Téchiné
André Téchiné
André Téchiné , is a French screenwriter and film director. He has had a long and distinguished career that places him among the best post-New Wave French film directors....
's La Fille du Rer. Her other recent French projects have included Ashes and Blood
Ashes and Blood
Ashes and Blood is a 2009 French drama film directed by Fanny Ardant. It was given a special screening at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
, Turk's Head
Turk's Head (film)
Turk's Head is a 2010 French thriller film directed and starring Pascal Elbé. Roschdy Zem and Israel actress, Ronit Elkabetz also star. It was released in France on 31 March 2010. The film was inspired by the real-life incident in 2006 in Marseille where a group of impoverished teenager torched a...
and Les mains libres
Les mains libres
Les mains libres is a 2010 French drama film directed by Brigitte Sy. It stars Ronit Elkabetz, Carlo Brandt, and Noémie Lvovsky. It was released theatrically in France on 16 June 2010. It is a feature-length prequel to Sy's 2008 short film, L'endroit idéal.-Plot:Barbara is a filmmaker developing...
. In 2010 she received an Ophir Award nomination for Best Actress for her work in Mabul
Mabul (film)
Mabul is a 2011 Israeli drama film starring Ronit Elkabetz. It has been directed by Guy Nattiv and is currently in post-production. It is set to be distributed by K5 International...
, . She was recently the subject of Nir Bergman's documentary A Stranger in Paris.
Critical acclaim
Israeli film critic Uri Klein writes: "Moviegoers can admire Ronit Elkabetz or recoil from her, or admire and recoil at the same time. Ignoring her is not an option. The mystery and the exoticism, the threat and the danger have ultimately gathered into a potent presence and cogent control."In May 2010, Ronit Elkabetz received the France Culture award at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
, a prize awarded to filmmakers for quality work and social involvement. The judges described her as a "woman teeming with passion and erotica, who can even play the queen of Egypt."
Pascal Elbé
Pascal Elbé
Pascal Elbé is a French actor and director and screenwriter.-Biography:Pascal Elbe was born in Colmar, Haut-Rhin, France, to a family of middle-class Jewish immigrants from Algeria. He was raised in Strasbourg...
director of Turk's Head
Turk's Head (film)
Turk's Head is a 2010 French thriller film directed and starring Pascal Elbé. Roschdy Zem and Israel actress, Ronit Elkabetz also star. It was released in France on 31 March 2010. The film was inspired by the real-life incident in 2006 in Marseille where a group of impoverished teenager torched a...
cited his enthusiasm for casting Elkabetz. "I chose an actress who reminds me of those great Italian stars of the postwar period, like Anna Magnani
Anna Magnani
Anna Magnani was an Italian stage and film actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress, along with four other international awards, for her portrayal of a Sicilian widow in The Rose Tattoo....
."
It was recently announced that Elkabetz will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Israeli Film Academy for her contribution to Israeli cinema.
Film and television credits
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Oshra | Original title: Hameyu'ad | |
| 1992 | Eddie King | ||
| 1994 | Sh'Chur Sh'Chur (film) Sh'Chur is a 1994 Israeli drama film starring Gila Almagor and Ronit Elkabetz. It was directed by Shmuel Hasfari. It was also the 1994 official Israeli submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film... |
Pnina | Ophir Award :Film 1994 official Israeli submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1995 | Tzalaket | ||
| 1996 | Metamorphosis of a Melody Metamorphosis of a Melody Metamorphosis of a Melody is a 1996 Israeli drama film by Amos Gitai. The film starring Ronit Elkabetz and Samuel Fuller is based on The Jewish War by Josephus. It is a cinematic realisation of stage-based productions by Gitai.-Plot:The film follows Jewish resistance as they face a series of... |
Amos Gitai Amos Gitai Amos Gitai , born 11 October 1950 in Haifa, Israel, is an Israeli filmmaker and director. He is mainly known for making documentaries and experimental / minimalist feature films... film |
|
| 1997 | Ben Gurion | Short film | |
| 2000 | Florentine | Nicole | TV series. 2 episodes |
| 2001 | Origine contrôlée Origine contrôlée Origine contrôlée is a 2001 French comedy-drama film starring Ronit Elkabetz. It is also the debut French-language picture to star Elkabetz, famous for Hebrew-language roles in her native Israel. Elkabetz acquired French fluency after moving to France in 1997. The film was written and directed by... |
Sonia | US title: Made in France |
| 2001 | Late Marriage Late Marriage Late Marriage is a 2001 Israeli film directed by Dover Kosashvili. The film centers on Zaza , the 31-year-old child of tradition-minded Georgian Jewish immigrants who are anxiously trying to arrange a marriage for him. Unbeknownst to them, he is secretly dating a 34-year-old divorcée, Judith... |
Judith | Ophir Award for Best Actress Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema Award for Best Actress Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema The Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente is an international festival of independent films organized each year in the month of April, in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.The festival is managed by the Ministerio de Cultura del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, it is not... International Thessaloniki Film Festival Award for Best Actress Nominated—Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress The Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress is an award given by the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film to the actress or actresses whose winning performance is voted by participating members... |
| 2003 | Alila Alila Alila is a 2003 Israeli film directed by Amos Gitai and starring Yaël Abecassis, Uri Klauzner, and Hanna Laslo. The drama follows half a dozen very different characters through their lives in modern day Israel, giving Gitai an opportunity to comment on his country's top social issues.The film... |
Ronit | |
| 2003–2004 | Franco Ve'Spector | Dafna Spector | TV series, 8 episodes |
| 2004 | Or (My Treasure) Or (My Treasure) Or is a 2004 drama film starring Dana Ivgy in the title role of Or, a teenager who struggles to be responsible for her prostitute mother Ruthie, played by Ronit Elkabetz... |
Ruthie | International Film Festival Bratislava Grand Prix International Film Festival Bratislava The International Film Festival Bratislava is an international film festival established in 1999 and held annually in Bratislava, Slovakia.... Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival Special Distinction Award for Best Actress Nominated—Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress The Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress is an award given by the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film to the actress or actresses whose winning performance is voted by participating members. The Chlotrudis Awards is an annual ceremony where the best of the previous year's independent and... Nominated—Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2004 | To Take a Wife To Take a Wife To Take a Wife is a 2004 drama film. It is the directorial debut of veteran actress, Ronit Elkabetz who also stars in the film... |
Viviane | Hamburg Film Festival Critics Award Mons International Festival of Love Films Award for Best Actress Venice Film Festival Audience Award and Isvema Award Venice Film Festival The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the... Nominated—Ophir Award for Best Actress |
| 2006–2009 | Parashat Ha-Shavua | Elia Ben-David | 25 episodes |
| 2007 | Dina | Ophir Award for Best Actress Ghent International Film Festival Special Mention Award Jerusalem Film Festival Award for Best Actress Jerusalem Film Festival The Jerusalem Film Festival is an international film festival held annually in Jerusalem, Israel. The festival was the brainchild of Lia van Leer, who inaugurated it on May 17, 1984... Nominated—Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress The Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress is an award given by the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film to the actress or actresses whose winning performance is voted by participating members... |
|
| 2008 | 7 days Shiva (2008 film) Shiva is a 2008 Israeli drama film, also known by its English title as 7 Days, by Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz. It is the second feature to be directed by the siblings, following 2004's To Take a Wife.-Plot:... |
Vivianne | Jerusalem Film Festival Wolgin Award for Best Israeli Feature Jerusalem Film Festival The Jerusalem Film Festival is an international film festival held annually in Jerusalem, Israel. The festival was the brainchild of Lia van Leer, who inaugurated it on May 17, 1984... Nominated—Ophir Award for Best Director |
| 2008 | L'endroit idéal L'endroit idéal L'endroit idéal is a 2008 French short film starring Ronit Elkabetz. It was written and directed by Brigitte Sy. It was later adapted into the 2010 feature-length film, Les mains libres.-Plot synopsis:... |
Barbara | Short film |
| 2009 | Zion and His Brother Zion and His Brother Zion and His Brother is a 2009 French-Israeli drama film starring Reuven Badalov and Ronit Elkabetz. The film, directed by Eran Merav premiered on 17 January 2009 at the Sundance Film Festival.-Plot synopsis:... |
Mother | |
| 2009 | Judith | André Téchiné André Téchiné André Téchiné , is a French screenwriter and film director. He has had a long and distinguished career that places him among the best post-New Wave French film directors.... film |
|
| 2009 | Jaffa Jaffa (film) Jaffa is a 2009 Israeli film directed by Keren Yedaya... |
Osnat 'Ossi' Wolf | |
| 2009 | Ashes and Blood Ashes and Blood Ashes and Blood is a 2009 French drama film directed by Fanny Ardant. It was given a special screening at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:... |
Judith | Cendres et sang |
| 2010 | Turk's Head Turk's Head (film) Turk's Head is a 2010 French thriller film directed and starring Pascal Elbé. Roschdy Zem and Israel actress, Ronit Elkabetz also star. It was released in France on 31 March 2010. The film was inspired by the real-life incident in 2006 in Marseille where a group of impoverished teenager torched a... |
Sibel, la mère de Bora | Tête de turc |
| 2010 | Les mains libres Les mains libres Les mains libres is a 2010 French drama film directed by Brigitte Sy. It stars Ronit Elkabetz, Carlo Brandt, and Noémie Lvovsky. It was released theatrically in France on 16 June 2010. It is a feature-length prequel to Sy's 2008 short film, L'endroit idéal.-Plot:Barbara is a filmmaker developing... |
Barbara | |
| 2010 | Mabul Mabul (film) Mabul is a 2011 Israeli drama film starring Ronit Elkabetz. It has been directed by Guy Nattiv and is currently in post-production. It is set to be distributed by K5 International... |
Miri Roshko | Nominated—Ophir Award for Best Actress |
| 2011 | Invisible Invisible (2011 film) Invisible is a 2011 Israeli film directed by Michal Aviad. It premiered at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival in February 2011 where it won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. The film is based on a series of rape-murders that occurred in Tel Aviv between 1977-1978... |
Lily |