Asia

אסיה | Ruthy Pribar | Israel, 2020 | Hebrew/Russian (English subtitles) | Drama | 85m | DCP | IMDB | Distributor/Sales: Go2Films/Intramovies | Festival marketing sample: Tribeca 2020

Description: Asia, a Russian immigrant, lives with her daughter and mother in Jerusalem. She works long shifts as a nurse in a hospital. A Filipina carer helps look after her mum who is beginning to show symptoms of dementia. Asia has a tense relationship with Vika, her rebellious teenage daughter who is battling a neurologically degenerative illness. In her off-time, Asia seeks relief through quick interludes with a married colleague or by flirting with strangers at singles bars. As Vika’s condition deteriorates, Asia is forced to engage with her daughter. She hires Gabi, an Israeli Arab nurse-aid to help look after Vika when she is at work.

Merits: Fresh out of Netflix’s Unorthodox, Shira Hass rightfully scooped the Best Actress prize at the Tribeca Film Festival for her performance as the twitchy teenager. Yet the relatively unknown Alena Yiv as Asia and Tamir Mula as Gabi do not fall short. Prinbar’s beautifully observed family drama is quietly devastating.

Rating: Sexual references, mild graphic sex, drug use (marijuana), suicide.