Israeli Film Funded by Controversial Samaria Foundation Receives Critical Acclaim

The debut film "My One and Only," produced by the Samaria Film Fund, has garnered positive reviews from leading Israeli film critics. Directed and written by David Tauber and produced by Elia Tauber, the film tells the story of Shira, a young religious woman who suspects her husband was replaced by a double shortly after the birth of their first child. The narrative blends religious and secular worlds, psychological drama, and thriller elements.

Oron Shamir, a film critic for Haaretz, praised the film as a rare and welcome Hebrew mystery drama, highlighting Tauber's skillful integration of cinematic elements such as cinematography, music, and editing. Shamir acknowledged the film's controversial funding source, the Samaria Film Fund, but emphasized that the film belongs to the Israeli film industry, having screened out of competition at last year's Jerusalem Film Festival and competed for the Ophir Award. He urged audiences not to boycott the film due to its funding and expressed hope for broader representation of Samaria residents in future funded films.

Similarly, Ynet critic Shmulik Duvdevani called the film "one of the refreshing surprises of the year," praising its artistic freedom and unique voice within Israeli cinema, especially regarding religious themes. He noted that the film advances Israeli cinema in new and unexpected directions.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council and chairman of the Samaria Film Fund, expressed pride in the fund's role in promoting high-quality, original Israeli art. He highlighted the fund's ability to bring new and courageous voices to Israeli cinema, including from Judea and Samaria, and affirmed the fund's commitment to supporting groundbreaking Israeli filmmakers.