My first reaction to Omer Tobi’s debut feature Tropicana was an overwhelming sense of the unrelenting misery depicted in the film, but on further thought, I discerned a narrative of a woman taking agency in her life – despite its limitations and responsibilities, and embracing her curiosity, ambition, and sexuality. Irit Sheleg carries the weight of the film as Orly Belaish, a middle-aged woman who works as a cashier in a large supermarket in a remote, desert town.
Orly’s monotonous life consists of one responsibility after another. In addition to her job, she cares for her infirm elderly mother. Her adult son lives at home, and although Orly tries to encourage him to come eat dinner with the family, he prefers to spend his time in his room, in bed, watching screens. Orly, ever the caretaker, brings his dinner to his room. Her only respite seems to be an occasional cigarette shared with her friend Sarah (Ilanit Ben-Yaakov), whose own home life appears less than ideal.
Yet Orly has desires, and Orly has initiative. There is a beautiful scene in which she tries on a black negligee and arranges herself in alluring poses in front of the mirror. She not only desires sex and physical affection she is willing to put in the effort. Yet when she initiates intimacy with her dormant husband (Dover Koshashvili) her overtures are ignored and rebuffed.
At work, when there is a sudden opening for the job of head cashier, Orly does not hesitate to compete for the job. However, upon her promotion, she discovers that it is both less and more than she expected. With the job, Orly inherits a cardboard box full of her predecessor Sigal’s personal items, including a cellphone. Her curiosity leads her on an unknown path, through the mysteries of what must have been her former co-worker’s life and opens up new possibilities for Orly to refuse or perhaps accept. With a sense of adventure, or perhaps a mixture of boredom and desperation, Orly decides to keep the phone and explore its offerings.
The film explores sexuality and body positivity without a sense of exploitation or titillation. At times there is almost a documentary feel to the film as a scene unfolds slowly, with the silences, hesitation, awkwardness, and uncertainty of life. Minimalistic, stylized, and enigmatic, Tropicana raises questions rather than provide neat answers. Irit Sheleg delivers a powerful performance as Orly, a woman whose strength, intelligence, and desire is bound by her responsibilities, yet seeks freedom and fulfillment.
Director: Omer Tobi; Screenplay: Omer Tobi; Cinematography: Philippe Lavalette; Editor: Guy Nemesh; Sound Design: Blaise Rival Emard, Victor Hayeur; Music: Adam Weingrod, Blaise Rival Emard, Gordon Neil Allen; Cast: Irit Sheleg, Rivka Bachar, Amir Ishar, Lirit Balaban, Ilanit Ben-Yaakov, Rinat Matatov, Dover Koshashvili
