AIFF 2022: Karaoke

 The first film I had the pleasure of watching at the Athens International Film Festival (and in person after three whole years) was a small film from Israel, called Karaoke, directed by Moshe Rosenthal.

Karaoke tells the story of a middle-aged couple, Meir (Sasson Gabay) and Tova (Rita Shukrun), who have been married for many years, have had two -now- adult daughters and live in a tall block of flats in a highly urban Israeli area. The couple have been so much used to each other that they barely share anything anymore besides scarse comments and critisisms for one another. Meir is a taciturn, silent, shy man who patiently tolerates his wife's and daughters' remarks, whereas Tova is a diva-like, confident lady who knows that she deserves more from life than what she's been dealt with. Both, however, feel like they've been living in a routine, going trough the motions in their predictable lifestyle. It soon becomes apparent to the audience that  unavoidably the couple does not connect emotionally any more, despite the love they may feel. 

It all comes to a change, however, when the newly-arrived penthouse owner blocks Meir's car in the underground car park and the latter leaves him a note about his improper behaviour. The rich man, in return, invites his -yet unknown- neighbours for a drink in his top-floor apartment in order to make amends and apologise. Itzik (Lior Ashkenazi), is an extremely wealthy Miami-based agent with a lot of connections, many superficial relations and a party-obsessed, drug-taking, exceedingly social lifestyle - the complete opposite of the family people that Meir and Tova are. It comes as no surprise, then, that the first thing he asks them upon meeting them is if they are swingers. 

That first night they meet, besides the drinks and snacks he offers, Itzik  proposes to sing some karaoke to let loose and have fun. Meir, of course, feels like a fish out of water and promises to sing on another occasion, while Tova finally thinks she is seen as the outgoing woman she is and innocently flirts with Itzik. Both, though, are intrigued by this new man in their life. Meir even starts opening up and sees that there is more to himself and his life than what he had thought previously. 

The friendship that the couple form with Itzik soon becomes somewhat competitive, both between the two as well as against other neighbours who try to attract the newcomer. 

What is clear, though, is that their need for attention by a total stranger creates internal questions for both Meir and Tova, about what their relationship has been like, how they have ended up where they are and if love is indeed something that can conquer all. 

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