Israeli Film 'Because You Are Ugly' Portrays Complex Journey of Troubled Soldier
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Sharon Engelhardt's debut film "Because You Are Ugly" follows Abigail, a troubled soldier from Jerusalem, whose aggressive exterior hides a caring nature. The story centers on her struggles with family, bullying, and responsibility after discovering her sister's pregnancy, revealing a journey from hostility to empathy.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- "Because You Are Ugly" is Sharon Engelhardt's debut film featuring a troubled soldier named Abigail.
- Abigail, played by Riki Reif Sinai, is aggressive due to her difficult family and social circumstances.
- Her commanding officer offers her a chance to attend officer training if she arrives on time after leave.
- Abigail's plans change when she learns her 15-year-old sister is pregnant and needs an abortion.
- The film reveals Abigail's softer side beneath her hostile behavior, highlighting her protective instincts.
- The movie won Uri Avinoam an Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Abigail's sister.
"Because You Are Ugly," the debut film by Sharon Engelhardt, tells the story of Abigail, a young, overweight soldier from a broken, impoverished family in Jerusalem. Portrayed by Riki Reif Sinai, Abigail initially comes across as aggressive, vulgar, and hostile, reflecting the disdain she receives from the world around her. The film opens with this abrasive attitude, mirroring the character's tough exterior.
Abigail's commanding officer gives her a final chance to improve her situation: if she arrives at the base on time after her weekend leave, he will recommend her for an officer training course. Returning home to the Gilo neighborhood, Abigail faces a dysfunctional mother, played by Yael Abecassis, and is determined to lose her virginity before starting the course. However, her plans are disrupted when she discovers her 15-year-old sister, played by Uri Avinoam (who won an Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actress for this role), is pregnant. Abigail spends the weekend trying to raise money for her sister's abortion while struggling to make it back to the army on time.
The film explores Abigail's dual life: in the army, she is withdrawn and bullied due to her weight, while at home she acts as a neighborhood bully, lashing out with insults and curses. Despite her harsh demeanor, the story gradually reveals a softer, more caring side beneath her defensive aggression. Abigail's antagonism towards her sister masks a desire to protect and guide her in the absence of a functional mother.
Engelhardt's direction skillfully aligns the audience's evolving feelings toward Abigail with the narrative, transforming initial hostility into empathy. The film has been compared to Catherine Breillat's "Fat Girl" for its raw portrayal of young women's sexual and emotional struggles, but Engelhardt infuses warmth and complexity into her characters. "Because You Are Ugly" ultimately offers a powerful lesson in empathy and understanding through its nuanced depiction of a troubled young woman seeking connection and goodness.
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