In 'Cuz You're Ugly,' Israeli director Sharon Angelhart tells the story she never saw on screen

Israeli director Sharon Angelhart's debut feature film, "Cuz You're Ugly," now screening in Israel, tells the story of Avigail, a young soldier grappling with body image and family issues, and her complicated relationship with her younger sister, Naomi. Angelhart stated she aimed to create a film she "would have wanted to see when I was growing up in Jerusalem and searching for who I was," addressing themes of self-acceptance and navigating difficult family dynamics. The movie, filmed in Jerusalem's Gilo neighborhood, has received critical acclaim, with Riki Reif Sinai winning Best Actress at the Jerusalem Film Festival and Or Avinoam receiving the Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actress. Angelhart emphasized her goal for the film is to be "body neutral," presenting a full-bodied heroine without explanation, a departure from typical cinematic portrayals.