Movie Review: ‘Broken Mirrors’

Review by Lisa Payne

Ariella (Shira Haas) has a very strict military father (Yiftach Klein) who over-punishes her for everything she does. His motto is actions have consequences. Ariella acts out by self-harming. When Ariella’s mom is in an accident caused by Ariella, her father refuses to punish her. This causes Ariella to go down a self-destructive path, repeatedly putting herself in incredibly dangerous situations.

The story becomes incredibly tense near the end, in a race for Ariella’s dad to rescue her from her latest act of rebellion. Ariella’s father’s backstory is told in parallel, and we see why he is so inflexible to his whole family and Ariella in particular. Broken Mirrors is a very complex story of shame and guilt, and the effect projecting these emotions on your nearest and dearest has on you.

It has an excellent, well-paced script by writer-directors Imri Matalon and Aviad Givon. The film was nominated for best actress and best screenplay at the Israeli Film Academy’s Ophir Awards. Definitely worthy of your time.

On all Digital|VOD platforms starting September 22, 2020.