God's Neighbors

About The Film

A young religious hot-head experiences a falling out with a gang of violent extremists who terrorize a suburban Israeli neighborhood in GOD’S NEIGHBORS, a raw and provocative drama-cum-thriller from first-time writer-director Meni Yaesh.

Leading a brigade of Orthodox watchdogs, Avi (an award-winning performance by Roy Assaf) and his testosterone-fueled cronies take it upon themselves to patrol the streets of coastal Bat Yam. Although under the tutelage of a charismatic rabbi (Gili Shushan), their behavior – berating immodestly clothed women, harassing store owners who do not observe Shabbat, and bloodying Arabs that stray onto their turf – is less than pious. Order is upended with the arrival of attractive and independent-minded Miri (Rotem Ziesman-Cohen), stirring a romance while triggering a crisis of faith for the conflicted Avi.

A prize winner at numerous international film festivals including Cannes and Jerusalem, GOD’S NEIGHBORS was also nominated for nine Israeli Academy Awards with wins for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.