Ervinka

In the 1960s Tel Aviv, Ervinka ekes out a living as a petty con man, running scams to avoid real work. He charges parking fees on a lot that isn't his, steals electricity from neighbors, and freeloads at family events he isn't invited to, all while extorting money from movie directors by revving his moped near their sets. He also exploits bureaucrats and stays in the local underworld's orbit to stay ahead.

Ervinka falls in love with Ruti, a police officer who scrutinizes his lifestyle. She loves him, yet is appalled by his way of life and warns that he is on a slippery slope toward crime. Their contrasting worlds intensify the tension between desire and morality.

Frustrated by never winning the lottery, Ervinka concocts a plan to rob the Tel Aviv lottery offices. He disguises the scheme as a movie project and enlists his underworld friends to crack the safe while spectators and police think a film director is at work.

The men stage a faux film crew around the lottery offices, drawing a crowd and attracting the attention of the law, who are unaware the real goal is the safe. The ruse aims to distract everyone while the safe is breached. The spectators and officers watch as if it's cinema.

When the underworld hits trouble opening the safe, a police volunteer steps in with his own expertise to keep filming on track. The line between law and crime blurs as everyone pretends it’s just a production. Ervinka thanks the helper and keeps the plan moving.

With timing precise, the group exits with the money seconds before the authorities realize what is happening. The money is tucked behind Ervinka's moped seat as the fake show continues around him. The crowd remains unaware that a real crime has just occurred.

Holding the stolen windfalls, Ervinka believes he has finally realized his dream and won't have to rely on his wits anymore. The thrill is tempered by a nagging hope for a normal life. He plots how the windfall could change everything.

Ruti tracks down Ervinka as he tries to escape, and the pursuit forces them into a tense confrontation. She confesses her feelings for him with equal force, but makes clear she won’t associate with a criminal. The clash of love and law becomes the emotional center of the story.

Their dialogue lays bare the pull of love opposing the pull of crime. Ruti's steadfast stance challenges Ervinka to choose between the life he knows and the chance at a future with her. The tension reaches a turning point as emotions override the lure of money.

Ervinka chooses love over loot and decides to set things right. He believes the only honorable path is to hand the money back to its rightful owner, rather than keep living with the risk of arrest and betrayal. This choice signals a shift toward integrity.

In a public, ceremonial moment, Ervinka returns the funds to the General Manager of the lottery. The ceremony mirrors the one he had once imagined receiving the money, giving his gesture a sense of closure. The act elevates him from trickster to someone capable of making amends.

The film ends with a fragile balance between love and legitimacy. Ervinka’s choice to return the money redefines him in Ruti’s eyes and leaves his future open to moral possibility. The couple's bond endures the ordeal, hinting at a different life beyond cons.