Or (My Treasure) is a 2004 drama film co-written and directed by Keren Yedaya, starring Dana Ivgy in the title role of Or, a teenager who struggles to be responsible for her prostitute mother Ruthie, played by Ronit Elkabetz. The French-Israeli production premiered on 14 May 2004 at the Cannes Film Festival.

Plot synopsis

A teenager named Or (Dana Ivgy) works a variety of odd jobs to help support herself and her mother. When her mother, Ruthie (Ronit Elkabetz), returns home after a hospital stay, Or tells Ruthie she has found her a job cleaning houses. However, Ruthie is unmotivated by her new poorly paid job and quickly returns to prostitution. In the meantime, Or begins a burgeoning romance with her neighbour and childhood friend, Ido. After they sleep together, Ido's mother confronts Ruthie and makes it clear that though she likes Or she does not approve of their relationship. Her relationship with Ido and his family crumbling, and finding herself unable to make rent and desperate to save her mother from the streets, Or begins to prostitute herself as well, first by offering sexual services to her landlord and finally by joining an escort service.

Reception

Or won 10 awards, including five at the Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for a further 8. Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a freshness rating of 77%.

Awards and nominations

Israeli Film Academy Bogota Film Festival International Film Festival Bratislava Cannes Film Festival European Film Awards Jerusalem Film Festival Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival Palm Springs International Film Festival

Cast