The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem

Romantic drama rooted in 20th-century Israeli history

Watch on Netflix
About The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem

Released: 2021

Platform: Netflix

Rating: TV-MA

Run time: 2 Seasons

Cast
Michael Aloni, Hila Saada, Swell Ariel Or, Irit Kaplan, Mali Levi, Israel Ogalbo, Eli Steen, Tom Hagi, Yuval Scharf, Itzik Cohen, Shely Ben Joseph, Dov Navon, Miki Kam, Roy Miller

About The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem

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About

The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem is a 2021 television show in the drama genre. Based on the bestselling novel by Sarit Yishai-Levi, the series takes place in Jerusalem during the early 20th century and follows the story of a Sephardic Jewish family.

The show revolves around the Luna family, owners of the Jerusalem Café and the central gathering place for the Sephardic community. The family's matriarch, Luna, is known for her legendary beauty and her three daughters: Luna, who is determined to break free from traditional roles, Gabriela, who struggles to find love amidst political turmoil, and Malka, a talented baker who seeks solace in the kitchen.

The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem explores themes of love, family bonds, and the clash between tradition and modernity. It delves into the lives of the Luna family, their relationships, and the challenges they face in a changing world.

Making / Production

The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem was produced by a collaboration between Israeli production company United Studios and international production company Keshet International. It was filmed on location in Jerusalem, showcasing the beauty and history of the city.

The series was directed by Tali Shalom-Ezer and written by Ram Nehari. The production team aimed to faithfully adapt the source material while bringing the story to life through visually stunning cinematography and compelling performances.

Actors

  • Rotem Sela as Luna Luna - Rotem Sela portrays the headstrong and charismatic Luna Luna, the eldest daughter of the Luna family.
  • Michael Aloni as Gabriel Levi - Michael Aloni plays Gabriel Levi, the ambitious love interest of Luna who is drawn into political activism.
  • Liraz Charhi as Flora Efrati - Liraz Charhi portrays Flora Efrati, a strong-willed woman who becomes Gabriela's confidante and ally.
  • Yoram Hattab as Yitzhak Luna - Yoram Hattab plays Yitzhak Luna, Luna's strict and traditional father.
  • Ori Pfeffer as Avraham Luna - Ori Pfeffer portrays Avraham Luna, Luna's rebellious brother who confronts societal norms.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

  • The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem is one of the most expensive TV series produced in Israel.
  • The show is based on Sarit Yishai-Levi's bestselling novel of the same name.
  • It was praised for its production design and attention to detail in recreating the early 20th-century setting.
  • Cast members underwent extensive training to perfect their accents and language skills to accurately portray the Sephardic community.

Awards

No awards have been announced for The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem at the time of writing.

Quotes

  • "Love, like a story, doesn't follow a straight line." - Luna Luna
  • "Sometimes it's the ones who love us the most who hurt us." - Gabriela Luna
  • "The kitchen is my refuge, my sanctuary." - Malka Luna

Music

The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem features a captivating original score composed by Avshalom Ariel.

Soundtrack

  • "Jerusalem of Gold" - Yael Deckelbaum
  • "Hallelujah" - Leonard Cohen
  • "Adio Querida" - Yasmin Levy
  • "Sephardic Flamenco" - The Turquoise Trail