The Ring, the opening film of the Paris Israeli Film Festival, was screened at Cinéma Majestic Passy.
In attendance were His Excellency, the Ambassador of Israel to France, Mr. Joshua Zarka, Elie Chouraqui, this year’s festival patron, the film’s directors Adir Miller, Doron, and Yoav Paz, as well as the director and producer of the short film Final Chord, Ruth Blory and Itai Osterman, which was screened before the opening film.
The Ring by Adir Miller, Doron Paz, Yoav Paz
SYNOPSIS
Starring: Adir Miller, Joy Rieger, Rokva Dayan, Peter Linka, Panna Dominika Biro
Arnon Noble is a deeply religious man devoted to his mother, a Holocaust survivor. When her health deteriorates, he embarks on a journey to her hometown, Budapest, in search of the mythical ring that once saved both his mother’s life and his own when he was just a baby. Convinced that seeing the ring will free his mother from her illness, he is accompanied by his daughter, with whom he shares a strained relationship. However, she agrees to join him out of love for her grandmother.
Will this challenging journey help them rediscover their lost affection?
Adir Miller: Between humor and memory in The Ring
Adir Miller is one of Israel’s most beloved comedians, renowned for his stand-up performances and comedic acting. However, he is also recognized as one of the country’s finest actors, a reputation solidified through his collaborations with Avi Nesher, particularly in The Matchmaker, for which he won an Ophir Award for his first dramatic lead role. A performer who effortlessly moves between comedy and deep emotion.
With The Ring, Adir Miller steps behind the camera alongside Doron and Yoav Paz. Together, they craft a film that is both humorous and poignant, drawing from Miller’s own family history. The film tells the story of his grandmother, who was saved from the Nazis thanks to a ring. This narrative takes audiences on a journey through time and space, weaving a story imbued with the bittersweet weight of memory passed down through generations.
A family tribute and a unique approach to memory
“Ashkenazim leave the world through the hip!” declares Arnon’s mother from her hospital bed.
This bittersweet remark encapsulates the film’s tone, balancing lightheartedness with profound depth. The Ring is a heartfelt tribute to family, memory, and all those who survived the Holocaust—sometimes without even realizing it, as was the case with Adir Miller’s mother, who was an infant at the time.
Through sharp dialogues and masterful direction, the filmmakers take a distinctive approach to Holocaust memory. Instead of solely immersing the film in tragedy, they infuse it with humor and sensitivity, creating a compelling and accessible narrative.
Between humor and identity exploration
The film extends beyond Miller’s personal family history, tackling universal themes such as religion and homosexuality. By integrating these identity-related questions, The Ring offers a broader reflection on legacy, inheritance, and how individuals shape their identities in the face of their past.
A major success in Israel
Shot just two months before the tragic events of October 7, The Ring faced delays in its theatrical release.
Today, it has become a phenomenal success in Israel, already attracting 500,000 viewers. This triumph underscores the film’s emotional impact and its ability to connect with a wide audience while presenting Holocaust memory in a fresh and compelling way.
A Film balancing laughter and emotion
With The Ring, Adir Miller, Doron Paz, and Yoav Paz challenge traditional storytelling approaches to Holocaust cinema.
Both humorous and deeply moving, the film highlights the importance of memory while offering an innovative narrative perspective.
A bold and successful artistic choice, reaffirming that Adir Miller excels just as much behind the camera as he does in front of it.
Preceded by the Short Film Final Chord
Before The Ring, audiences will see Final Chord, a six-minute animated short film by Ruth Blory and Itai Osterman.
This deeply moving and original short pays tribute to the victims of the October 7th attack, who were murdered at the Nova Festival.
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THE RING
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