Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sukkot

"Ushpizin" is a quiet little fable about miracles, tests of faith, and the power of prayer. The film focuses on an ultra-Orthodox couple in Israel during the religious festival of Sukkot. The behind-the-scenes story of this film is far more interesting than the actual movie. The director, Gidi Dar, is a secular Israeli Jew, while the star and writer, Shuli Rand, is ultra Orthodox. Because Mr. Rand is not allowed to look into the eyes of a woman other than his wife, the director had to cast Mr. Rand's wife who had no acting experience. (She can act, by the way.) The finished product, unfortunately, is simply a feel-good, non-threatening flick that doesn't challenge the viewer in any way.