In 'Cuz You're Ugly,' Israeli director Sharon Angelhart tells the story she never saw on screen

Director Sharon Angelhart's debut feature film, 'Cuz You're Ugly,' seeks to fill a void in cinematic representation, offering a story she wished she had seen while growing up in Jerusalem. Angelhart stated that she wanted to create a film that reflected her own search for identity during her youth.

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When I was growing up, I would see movies about young people, and I didn’t find myself in them.

The movie is described as dark, sharp, and humorous, centering on Avigail, a young soldier who, despite being recommended for officer's training, faces significant personal challenges. These include her weight and lack of a boyfriend, contrasting with the attention her younger sister, Naomi, receives. The sisters' strained family life, with a depressed mother and an absent father, leaves them largely to fend for themselves.

When Naomi becomes pregnant, Avigail steps in to help, a decision that jeopardizes her own future. The film explores the sisters' complex relationship and Avigail's pursuit of a better life, portraying them as young individuals navigating difficult circumstances. The narrative evokes the feeling of people "falling through the cracks."

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was what I would have wanted to see when I was growing up in Jerusalem and searching for who I was.

'Cuz You're Ugly' has garnered critical acclaim, particularly for its acting. Riki Reif Sinai won the Best Actress Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival for her portrayal of Avigail, and Or Avinoam received the Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Naomi. The film also won the Ophir Award for Best Casting. Angelhart noted that while not autobiographical, the film addresses themes close to her heart, including self-conflict and body image issues.

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I was in conflict with myself, and with my body. All the time, I was trying to understand the world… It was hard for me to be part of any framework, like high school, and out of what I went through, I created the character of Avigail.