Rama Burshtein is an Israeli film director, screenwriter, and producer. She is best known for her 2012 feature Fill the Void and her 2014 feature Through the Wall.
Burshtein was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1966. She studied philosophy and psychology at Tel Aviv University before going on to pursue a career in filmmaking. She attended the Sam Spiegel Film School in Jerusalem, where she graduated in 2000.
Burshtein's first feature, Fill the Void, was released in 2012 and earned her a nomination for Best Director at the Israeli Academy Awards. The film follows an Orthodox Jewish family in Tel Aviv, facing a difficult decision when their daughter's husband dies suddenly.
In 2014, Burshtein followed up with Through the Wall, a romantic comedy about a religious woman's quest to find a husband. The film won the Best Actress Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival and was nominated for the Ophir Award for Best Picture.
Burshtein's films explore the complexities of faith and relationships within a religious context, often focusing on female characters who are trying to reconcile their beliefs with the demands of modern life. Her work has been praised for its sensitivity and realism, as well as its ability to address difficult topics without being didactic or preachy.
Burshtein's focus on faith and relationships has earned her comparisons to directors like Jane Campion, with whom she shares a commitment to exploring the nuances of gender roles and the complexities of faith.
In 2019, Burshtein was honored with the Women in Motion Award at the Cannes Film Festival. She was recognized for her commitment to creating meaningful stories about women and for her role as a mentor for young female filmmakers.
Burshtein is currently in post-production on her third feature film, The Art of Waiting. The drama follows a young woman who is struggling to reconcile her Orthodox faith with her desire to have a child.
Rama Burshtein is a talented filmmaker whose work has earned her critical acclaim and a growing fanbase. Her thoughtful and sensitive approach to complex topics has made her an important voice in Israeli cinema.
