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Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (2015) movie poster

Timeline

Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (2015) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 115 min · Hebrew
JustWatch #28,385 2
Directed by
Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz

In Israel, where religious authorities dictate marriage and divorce proceedings, Viviane Amsalem seeks to end her marriage. For years, she has struggled to obtain a dissolution from her husband, Elisha, who refuses to grant her a divorce. As the case progresses, the judges are confronted with the complexities and absurdities of the legal system. The situation escalates, revealing a tragic struggle for freedom and highlighting the profound personal toll of religious law.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (2015)

Where can you watch Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Brew and Chai Flicks: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (2015) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Viviane's Decision

    After more than twenty years of marriage, Viviane Amsalem decides to pursue her independence by seeking a divorce. She approaches a religious court to obtain a *gett*, signaling her desire to end her estranged marriage with Elisha.

    Where
    Religious Court
  2. Elisha's Reaction

    Elisha Amsalem, Viviane's husband, is initially hopeful for reconciliation. He requests Viviane to return home, demonstrating his unwillingness to accept her decision and marking the onset of their contentious legal battle.

  3. Court Mandates Reunion

    The religious court intervenes, insisting on a trial reunion for Viviane and Elisha. This intervention reflects the court's attempts to salvage the marriage, oblivious to the ongoing discord and Viviane's deep dissatisfaction.

    Where
    Religious Court
  4. Struggles with Reunion

    Viviane finds herself struggling during the trial reunion as tensions rise and their relationship becomes increasingly strained. Despite her efforts, it becomes evident that Elisha's intentions are not aligned with her quest for freedom.

  5. Commencement of Divorce Trial

    Following ongoing difficulties in the reunion attempts, Viviane officially initiates the divorce trial. This marks a significant turning point in her journey as she stands firm in her desire for separation from Elisha.

    Where
    Religious Court
  6. Elisha's Stalling Tactics

    Over the span of several years, Elisha actively stalls the divorce process, showcasing a reluctance to fully let go of the marriage. His actions create ongoing frustration for Viviane, who seeks a resolution.

  7. Unraveling Testimonies

    During the trial, testimonies from various witnesses reveal Elisha's vengeful character and Viviane's long-standing dissatisfaction in the marriage. This stark contrast challenges Elisha's facade of a devoted husband.

    Where
    Religious Court
  8. Brotherly Conflict

    Tensions escalate further when Elisha's brother accuses Viviane's lawyer, Carmel, of harboring feelings for her. This personal feud adds a new layer of conflict to the ongoing divorce proceedings.

  9. Contempt of Court

    Elisha's continued avoidance of court appearances leads to him being held in contempt of court. This legal repercussion highlights his struggle to face the inevitable dissolution of their marriage.

    Where
    Religious Court
  10. Conditional Agreement

    Eventually, under pressure, Elisha agrees to the divorce only if the rabbinical panel mandates it. This moment captures his reluctance and the tension that remains between the couple.

    Where
    Religious Court
  11. Return to Court

    Viviane and Elisha return to court with what seems to be a divorce agreement. Witnesses gather, and the rabbis present the *gett*, preparing to finalize the long-awaited divorce.

    Where
    Religious Court
  12. Elisha's Hesitation

    As the final steps proceed, Elisha hesitates to pronounce Viviane free to move on. His reluctance leads to frustration and ultimately results in them being ejected from the court.

    Where
    Religious Court
  13. Final Plea

    In a desperate moment, Elisha requests a private conversation with Viviane. He offers her the divorce on the condition that she promises never to engage with another man, showcasing his controlling nature.

  14. The Promise

    After much contemplation, Viviane makes the promise to Elisha to refrain from other relationships. This agreement is pivotal, reflecting the emotional and psychological compromises involved in their divorce struggle.

  15. Completion of Divorce Proceedings

    With the promise made, Viviane and Elisha return to the courtroom to finalize the divorce. This moment signifies the culmination of Viviane's arduous journey towards independence and freedom from a tumultuous marriage.

    Where
    Religious Court

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 18:20

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Timeline questions answered

Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (2015): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Elisha refuse to give Viviane a divorce?

Elisha refuses to grant Viviane a divorce because he hopes for reconciliation and cannot accept that their marriage is over. Despite living apart for years, he requests she return home and actively stalls the legal process. The testimonies reveal his vengeful nature and desire to maintain control over Viviane, even when he knows the marriage has long ended.

Foreshadowing: Early in the film, Elisha's hope for reconciliation sets the stage for his stubborn refusal throughout the proceedings.

  • elisha
  • viviane
  • divorce refusal
  • marriage
  • reconciliation
Q2

What is a gett in Jewish religious law?

A gett is a Jewish religious divorce document that must be voluntarily given by the husband to the wife. Without this document, a woman remains legally married under religious law, even if civil divorce has been obtained. This requirement creates the central conflict in the film, as Viviane cannot end her marriage without Elisha's consent.

  • gett
  • jewish divorce
  • religious court
  • divorce document
  • halacha
Q3

Why does the religious court order a trial reunion?

The religious court mandates a trial reunion as an attempt to reconcile the couple before granting a divorce. This reflects the court's primary goal of preserving marriages under Jewish law, regardless of the wife's wishes or the actual state of the relationship.

Foreshadowing: The court's intervention reflects the system's bias toward reconciliation over individual autonomy.

  • trial reunion
  • religious court
  • reconciliation
  • marriage preservation
Q4

What happens when Elisha is held in contempt of court?

When Elisha is held in contempt of court, it means he has refused to comply with court orders to appear for proceedings. This legal repercussion highlights his avoidance and reluctance to face the divorce, demonstrating how the legal system attempts to compel his participation.

  • contempt of court
  • elisha
  • legal consequence
  • court order
Q5

Why does Elisha hesitate at the final divorce proceeding?

At the final proceeding, Elisha hesitates to declare Viviane free to pursue other relationships because he cannot accept another man being with her. Even though he has agreed to the divorce, his need to maintain control and his jealousy prevent him from willingly releasing her.

Foreshadowing: Elisha's possessive nature is revealed throughout the trial through his manipulative behavior.

  • elisha
  • hesitation
  • final proceeding
  • jealousy
  • control
Q6

What promise does Viviane make to finally get her divorce?

Viviane promises Elisha that she will never engage with another man if he grants her the divorce. This desperate promise is the only way she can finally obtain the gett after years of legal battle, representing the emotional and psychological compromise she must make for her freedom.

  • viviane
  • promise
  • divorce
  • elisha
  • freedom
  • compromise
Q7

How long does Viviane's divorce case take?

Viviane's divorce case spans more than twenty years, reflecting the prolonged and agonizing process of obtaining a religious divorce in Israel's court system. The slow, bureaucratic process is central to the film's tension and emotional weight.

  • twenty years
  • divorce timeline
  • legal process
  • prolonged case
Q8

Why does Elisha's brother become involved in the trial?

Elisha's brother serves as his representative in the divorce proceedings. He escalates conflict by accusing Viviane's lawyer, Carmel, of harboring romantic feelings for Viviane, creating a personal feud that adds another layer of tension to the already contentious case.

  • elisha brother
  • carmel
  • lawyer
  • representative
  • conflict
Q9

What do witness testimonies reveal about Elisha?

Witness testimonies reveal that Elisha is not the devoted husband he presents himself to be. The accounts expose his vengeful character and show that Viviane has been discontent in the marriage for years, contradicting Elisha's claims and facade.

  • testimonies
  • elisha character
  • witnesses
  • vengeful
  • facade
Q10

Why does Viviane agree to the promise despite wanting freedom?

Viviane agrees to the promise because after twenty years of legal battle, she sees no other way to obtain her freedom. The promise is a humiliating compromise that reflects the power imbalance and the lengths a woman must go through to escape a marriage under religious law, making her victory feel hollow.

Foreshadowing: The ending reflects the film's themes of systemic injustice and personal sacrifice.

  • viviane
  • compromise
  • freedom
  • promise
  • justice
  • sacrifice

Movie threads

More Movies Like Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about fighting oppressive systems like Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem

Stories of individuals trapped and fighting against rigid, unjust institutions. If you liked Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem's depiction of a woman battling religious law, you'll find similar stories here. These films explore the grim, tense, and often slow-burn struggles of individuals confronting rigid institutions, from legal courts to corporate or government machinery.

  • oppressive
  • frustrating
  • tense
  • grim
  • slow burn
  • systemic
  • Tone: tense, grim, frustrating
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread focus on a protracted, often draining battle where the antagonist is a system rather than a single person. The protagonist's journey is defined by resilience in the face of procedural delays, manipulative tactics, and the psychological toll of fighting for a seemingly simple goal that the system complicates endlessly.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared mood of oppressive frustration and their thematic core of systemic injustice. They create a similar viewing experience of high tension and emotional heaviness, often with a slow, deliberate pace that mirrors the grinding nature of the conflict.

Slow burn dramas with a suffocating atmosphere like Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem

Films where tension and emotion build slowly to an unbearable pressure. For viewers who appreciated the claustrophobic, slow-burn tension of Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem, this section highlights films with a similar pacing and mood. These movies use a slow, deliberate build-up to create an overwhelming sense of emotional weight and psychological pressure.

  • claustrophobic
  • slow burn
  • oppressive
  • tense
  • psychological
  • heavy
  • Tone: tense, oppressive, heavy
  • Pacing: slow burn, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a confined setting or situation—physical or emotional—that restricts the characters. The story unfolds gradually, focusing on the accumulating weight of small moments and setbacks rather than sudden dramatic events. The climax is often a release of this built-up pressure, which can be cathartic, tragic, or bittersweet.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their specific mix of slow pacing and high emotional intensity. They prioritize atmosphere and mounting dread over fast-paced action, creating a unique, immersive, and often grueling viewing experience defined by its controlled, suffocating build-up.

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Every angle

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