Israeli Film 'Independence' Tops 100,000 Viewers, Eyes Oscar Nomination

The Israeli film 'Independence,' directed and written by Moshe Rosenthal, has achieved significant success both critically and commercially. Following its triumph at the Ophir Awards, where it secured ten accolades including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay out of a record 16 nominations, the movie has now surpassed 100,000 viewers in Israeli cinemas less than a month after its release. This box office milestone places it among the year's top local film successes.

'Independence' tells the story of Boaz, a 12-year-old boy in 1987 who uncovers a secret about his admired father, Meir. This revelation deeply impacts his world and his entire family. The narrative later revisits Boaz as an adult, confronting the consequences of his childhood experiences and his relationship with his father.

The film features a notable cast, with Asi Cohen portraying the father, marking his return to the big screen after approximately 15 years. Yair Mazor plays the young Boaz in his debut role, while Idan Tako embodies the adult version. Keren Tzur plays the mother, with Mor Divri and Neta Orbach as the sisters.

This is Rosenthal's second feature film, following 'Karaoke,' which also won four Ophir Awards. 'Independence,' internationally titled 'Tell Me Everything,' premiered globally at the Sundance Film Festival in January and subsequently opened the Jerusalem Film Festival. Its win for Best Film at the Ophir Awards has led to its selection as Israel's official submission for the International Feature Film category at the upcoming Academy Awards, where it will compete for a nomination.