Viviane has been trying to divorce her husband Elisha for three years. But he refuses to grant her one, and he has the upper hand in a patriarchal society that states the husband must agree to divorce. Filmed in the close quarters of a rabbinic tribunal in Israel, the film has a heavy and absurd atmosphere. Because today still, in Israel, there is no such thing as civil divorce, and conservative religion is on the side of the husband.

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“You are hereby permitted to all men.” In rabbinic law, this is the phrase a man must say to give his wife back her freedom. It makes up the “Gett”, the divorce document. If a rabbi agrees, the woman may remarry after 90 days. This is also the freedom denied to Viviane Amsalem by her husband. The Trial of Viviane Amsalem is a poignant, realistic film of quiet violence about a strict and alienating society. Demanding yet funny, with an excellent performance by Ronit Elkabetz, this is a courageous film that should not be missed.