Shuli Rand Returns to the Big Screen in New Film The Jester
Shuli Rand and Tzofit Grant star in "The Jester", a new dramedy directed by Gidi Dar that follows a fallen wedding entertainer seeking redemption. The film has earned 12 Ophir Award nominations and international acclaim.
More than two decades after the success of "Ushpizin", Israeli actor and creator Shuli Rand returns to the big screen with his new film "The Jester" (HaBadchan), starring alongside his wife, Tzofit Grant. Directed by Gidi Dar, the film has already garnered international recognition, securing 12 Ophir Award nominations, and is now arriving in theaters across Israel.
At the center of the plot is Moishe, played by Rand, a once sought-after wedding jester in Jerusalem. Alcohol addiction led to his professional and financial decline, leaving him struggling to make ends meet. When his 31-year-old daughter finally finds a match, he faces a daunting challenge: raising 20,000 dollars to fund her wedding.
The opportunity arises in the form of a childhood friend who grew wealthy in the United States and returns to Israel to host a lavish wedding for his son. However, the friend brings along a successful young American jester, threatening to steal Moishe's chance to reclaim his former glory. The story weaves together humor, professional rivalry, family dynamics, and an attempt to right past wrongs.
From Ushpizin to International Acclaim
The film marks another chapter in the collaboration between Rand and director Gidi Dar, who previously created "Ushpizin" in 2004. Once again, the pair brings the world of Haredi society to the screen, blending tradition, humor, and human storytelling. Rand himself wrote the screenplay.
"The Jester" premiered globally at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York last June and later won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. In Israel, the film received 12 Ophir Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay.
Reflecting on their working relationship, Rand noted that acting together "only does good for the relationship," while Grant added, "It is amazing. It mostly makes you not want to act with anyone else afterward."
Box Office Potential and Screenings
Alongside its artistic success, economic questions remain. An Israeli film selling 100,000 tickets at an average price of 50 shekels generates about five million shekels in box office revenue, with potential to reach ten million if viewership hits 200,000. However, production budgets and net profits have not been officially disclosed.
"The Jester" is now screening in major Israeli theater chains, including HOT Cinema, Cinema City, and Yes Planet. With a runtime of 102 minutes, the film features dialogue in both Hebrew and Yiddish, and tickets range between 49 and 55 shekels.
