Next to Her, director Asaf Korman’s feature debut, takes the ordinary and lets us see the horror within, made all the more horrifying because he also lets us see how difficult and painful family circumstances might yet be not merely endurable, but full of joy. Winner of the Best Feature Award and Best Screenplay at the Haifa International Film Festival 2014, where it made its Israeli premiere, the film participated in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes 2014.
Screenwriter Liron Ben-Slush plays the lead role of Chelli, a woman in her late twenties who works as a security guard at a school, and is sole caretaker of her mentally disabled younger sister Gabby (Dana Ivgy). The opening scene of this film sets the tone with the enormous noise of children banging on the bars of the schoolyard gate, shouting to be let out. Chelli, in uniform, with her curls bound in a pony tail, is the one with the keys. It’s an everyday scene, as school gates in Israel are typically kept locked for security reasons, and there is always a guard on duty. Yet at the same time, the decibel levels and camera angles here serve to make the scene somehow disturbing and ominous.
The two sisters live together in a small, run-down apartment in one of the less attractive neighborhoods of Haifa. Next to Her doe not delve into their history – why is Chelli the one taking care of her sister? what is the reason for Gabby’s condition? Instead, these are the givens, and the film looks, with compassion and honesty, at their relationship and the minute details of caring for an adult who is not capable of caring for herself. Money is clearly an issue in this household, and Chelli leaves Gabby home alone, unattended, when she goes to work. Yet when she comes home, she cares for her tenderly.
There is an intimacy and playfulness is the relationship between the two, and there are some beautiful moments in which they can be seen as simply two sisters, a bond that is deeper than any issues of disability. It should perhaps be obvious, but sadly, it is not always so, and most moving in these scenes between the sisters is the way that Chelli treats Gabby as a person, despite her verbal and motor limitations and behaviors that deviate from the norm.
Yet the film does not shy away from portraying the more troubling and less tender aspects of this interdependent relationship. Outwardly, Chelli is a model of fortitude and strength. Her uncomplaining, efficient acceptance of her responsibilities and her all-consuming dedication to Gabby elicit admiration for this capable, attractive young woman. One can easily imagine the limitations placed on her ability to develop a career or other relationships, and her acceptance of her circumstances is so matter-of-fact that it seems incredible.
As the film progresses, one begins to see and understand more, and it becomes clear that this relationship fulfills a function in Chelli’s life as well, one that has the potential to be as destructive as it is nurturing. Gabby may be locked in a mind and body that prevent her from doing things that a twenty-something girl would want to do, yet perhaps there is much that she could do and enjoy in an appropriate environment with the right kind of support. Chelli’s dedication to caring for Gabby at home keeps the younger sister literally locked in, and Chelli has the key. Yet when the key turns in the lock, Chelli is inevitably on the inside as well.
Performances in this film are all excellent. Dana Ivgy received an Ophir Award for an actress in a supporting role for her portrayal of Gabby. Her complete immersion in the role renders this lovely actress almost unrecognizable. The research must have been meticulous and thorough, the performance has such a natural feel. Yaakov Daniel is endearing as the rather uncomplicated man who comes into Chelli’s life and Carmit Messilati-Kaplan is just right in her brief appearance as the girl’s less than functional mother. Liron Ben-Shlush conveys a very complex, troubled, young woman with depth, allowing the viewer to see the different aspects of Chelli’s character, and even at the most extreme moments, when it is difficult to comprehend, one can still feel compassion.
Next to Her
Directed by Asaf Korman; Screenplay: Liron Ben-Shlush; Produced by Haim Mecklberg, Estee Yacov-Mecklberg; Executive Producers: Moshe Edery, Leon Edery, Yigal Mograbi; Cinematography: Amit Yasour; Editing: Korman, Shira Hochman; Production Designer: Ron Zikno; Sound Designer: Ronen Nagel; Sound: Motti Hefetz; Cast: Liron Ben-Shlush, Dana Ivgy, Yaakov Daniel, Sophia Ostritsky, Carmit Messilati-Kaplan, Varda Ben-Hur; Festivals: Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2014; Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay at Haifa International Film Festival 2014.
