Working Woman – Isha Ovedet (2018)

Directed by: Michal Aviad | 93 minutes | drama | Actors: Liron Ben-Shlush, Menashe Noy, Oshri Cohen, Irit Sheleg, Dorit Lev-Ari, Gilles Ben-David, Corinne Hayat

‘Working Woman’ is about Israeli Orna (Liron Ben-Shlush), happily married to Ofer (Oshri Cohen) and mother of three. The job she just got offered, with a real estate agent, couldn’t have come at a better time. The family’s financial position is a bit shaky now that Ofer just opened a restaurant a few months ago and is still struggling with permits and customers.

Although Orna has no experience in the real estate world, she is quickly making big strides up the career ladder. Because of her good ideas and endless efforts, her immediate boss Benny (Menashe Noy) soon becomes charmed by her. Unfortunately, that’s not just professionally. After one of her first successes, Benny suddenly kisses her on the mouth. Orna, shocked, rejects him, Benny apologizes and the two decide not to talk about it the next day. Orna hides the event from Ofer. Out of shame, perhaps, or because she knows the consequences if she does open her mouth.

Despite Benny’s apologies, the situation is slowly becoming untenable. As a viewer you can sense that this is going to escalate. Every scene with Orna and Benny – at least about twenty years older than Orna – gives you an eerie feeling. Every act or comment of his has a bad aftertaste. You would want to yell at Orna to pack her things, but at the same time you understand why she stays.

What makes ‘Working Woman’ so poignant is not only the impossible situation this woman finds herself in, but also the ease with which Benny gets away with it. And as ideal as Ofer appears as a husband, his reaction when the events do come to light shows perfectly that women still have to deal with prejudice and misconceptions. Even Orna’s mother misunderstands her comment.

The acting is perfectly fine, with especially Liron Ben-Shlushi impressing. With her subtle mimicry she perfectly conveys her discomfort to the viewer. On the other hand, Menashe Noy is also good: although his Benny definitely gives you the creeps, his charm is also evident. It makes sense that Orna also gets along well with him.

‘Working Woman’ is an important film about a phenomenon that may not be eradicated, despite the predictable course of this Israeli drama. Any viewer who recognizes himself in Benny and adapts his (or her) actions for the better, is another one.