Canada, 2023
A film by Thomas Napper
Starring: Haley Bennett, Sam Riley, and Tom Sturridge
89 minutes | English with Hebrew subtitles

Toronto International Film Festival – The Official Selection 

The true story of the so-called "First Lady of Champagne" Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, who married the love of her life, a member of the Clicquot family – a wealthy winemaking family – but found herself a widow at a young age, the mother of a small baby, and responsible for an entire winery and the dozens of its male employees. Despite her personal tragedy, she remains devoted to the winery and the innovative experiments that her husband has begun. Soon enough, she discovers that everyone expects her to fail – the skeptical employees, her husband's family, and the area's competing wine-makers. Determined to keep what is hers, widow Clicquot will have to succeed – or lose everything. A fascinating drama about a woman who succeeded against all odds at a time when - so it seems - women are were allowed to succeed. 

Before the film's screening - a lecture by Shelly Eshkoli – a researcher of Hebrew femininity in the ancient world, holder of a master's degree in Bible studies, Level 2 certification from Westline School, a guide and group leader in natural and textual spaces: "If there is no wine, eat cheese" – a lecture on champagne, Roquefort, and wine growing in frosty lands.
How did champagne change the world, and what did they drink in Canaan before wine was imported from France? What did Abigail drink with King David, why are cheeses and alcohol a sign of peace, and what wine will you no longer want to drink after the lecture? 

Fifth meeting for the series' subscribers

Courtesy of Lev Cinemas