Seven Minutes in Heaven

Seven Minutes in Heaven is about spirituality and how to work it into your life. Galia is a striking young woman from Jerusalem in mourning over her dead boyfriend, Oren, who was blown up by a suicide bomber in a bus. Galia also suffered injuries, to her back, but she scoffs at the doctors who call her recovery a miracle ― although she was reportedly dead for ten minutes, Galia considers the mourning process to be worse than death. This is why, when presented with the opportunity, she announces a detail that subsequently, and miraculously, saves her boyfriend's life. You see, in Jerusalem, there's the belief that when someone wrongfully passes away or, in other words, when they are not ready to go yet, their life that has yet to be lived passes before their eyes and they have the choice whether they want to return to their body or not. And that's where things get tricky. What happens if, asks one spiritual man Galia goes to see, at the moment the soul reunites with the body that individual manages to communicate, just for a second, what they saw during their "dream"? In Galia's case, what happens is that she manages to save her life, as well as her future hubby's. But is she happy? That's up for interpretation. Director Omri Givon's first feature film poses a number of interesting questions, such as: is there nobility in concealing one's knowledge and spiritual strength, in order to benefit those closest to you? Or, more importantly, should an independent woman marry, or fall for, men who are so obviously afraid and disturbingly clingy? Seven Minutes in Heaven is a film for those moviegoers who prefer characterization to action, and can appreciate a good build-up, as well as a twist. This is worth seeing for lead Reymond Amsalem's eyes alone.