Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

The Slut

The Slut (Hebrew: Hanotenet) is a drama film written and directed by Ben-Asher in her feature directorial debut, in which she also stars as the lead character , a 35-year-old single mother living in a rural village with her two young daughters. The film explores Tamar's unrestrained sexual appetite, as she engages in casual encounters with multiple men from her community to fill emotional voids, until she begins a relationship with , a young veterinarian who returns to the area, prompting her to confront the possibility of and deeper intimacy. Premiering at the Film Festival's Semaine de la Critique () section, it marked an international breakthrough for Ben-Asher and garnered nominations including the Golden Camera at Cannes. Produced by Transfax Film Productions in collaboration with German partners, The Slut features a minimalist style characterized by raw, impressionistic and graphic depictions of sexuality, emphasizing Tamar's internal conflicts over external plot progression. Key cast members include as Shai, alongside Tzahi Hanan, Icho Avital, and Stav Yanai in supporting roles that highlight the village's interpersonal dynamics. The film's is 86 minutes, and it is primarily in Hebrew with English subtitles for international releases. Upon release, The Slut received mixed critical reception for its bold exploration of female sexuality and , with praise for Ben-Asher's multifaceted and but criticism for its detached, unconventional structure that some found alienating. It holds an audience score of 35% on based on limited ratings, reflecting polarized viewer responses to its explicit content and thematic intensity. Awards highlights include a win for Gold Hugo in the New Directors Competition at the and nominations at the , including for . The has been noted for its contribution to contemporary cinema's focus on personal and social taboos.

Synopsis

Plot

Tamar, a in her mid-30s, resides on an isolated rural farm in a small village, where she raises her two young daughters, the 12-year-old and 8-year-old Noa, while tending to livestock and selling eggs for income. Her daily life is marked by a casual and promiscuous approach to sex, as she engages in frequent, impulsive encounters with multiple local men, including a who repairs her home and a neighboring , often in exchange for minor favors or simply for physical satisfaction, with these liaisons occurring outdoors amid the farm's animals and fields. Her daughters occasionally observe these moments from a distance, reacting with innocent giggles that highlight the blend of her maternal role and uninhibited sexuality. The arrival of , a young returning to the village to settle his late mother's estate, introduces change when he is summoned to treat Tamar's ailing animals, initiating a professional interaction that swiftly turns personal. Drawn to her bold sensuality, Shai pursues her, and their relationship rapidly evolves into a passionate romance, culminating in sexual intimacy and Shai deciding to stay in the area, moving into her home to assist with farm chores, repair the rundown property, and bond with the girls through shared family activities like preparing meals. As their connection deepens, expresses desires for commitment and a stable family life, contrasting sharply with Tamar's continued casual liaisons with other village men, such as providing sexual favors to neighbors who approach her directly. Intimate scenes between Tamar and reveal moments of tenderness, yet her unrestrained impulses persist, leading to secret encounters that Shai eventually discovers, fueling his growing jealousy and attempts to "tame" her wild nature. The narrative reaches its climax when Shai confronts with an ultimatum, demanding she end her other relationships to commit fully to him and their makeshift family, forcing her to grapple with her ingrained patterns of behavior amid pressure from persistent neighbors and her own conflicting desires. In the resolution, experiences profound internal turmoil, showing tentative steps toward by distancing herself from former lovers, yet the film concludes ambiguously on the farm, with her future choices left unresolved as she returns to her routine of caring for the animals and daughters in the isolated rural setting.

Themes

The Slut explores the complexities of female sexuality and autonomy through the character of , a who embraces her as a form of , yet experiences profound as a result. The film portrays her encounters with multiple lovers not as mere indulgence but as an assertion of personal freedom in a judgmental rural environment, where her desires clash with societal expectations. This duality highlights how Tamar's sexual agency both liberates and alienates her, as she navigates relationships without emotional entanglement. A central conflict in the narrative pits against , exemplified by 's ongoing liaisons with various men in her village contrasted against her budding relationship with , a who seeks a more traditional commitment. While 's polyamorous tendencies allow her to maintain independence, Shai's expectations introduce tension, underscoring the incompatibility between her fluid desires and conventional partnership norms. This theme is illustrated through scenes where resists Shai's attempts to "tame" her into domesticity, revealing the strain on their connection. The film delves into the challenges of single motherhood in rural , where must reconcile her sensual impulses with her responsibilities toward her two young daughters, and Noa. Set on a desolate chicken farm, the story depicts 's parenting as unconventional and neglectful at times, with her children growing up amid her sexual pursuits, yet it also shows moments of tenderness that affirm her maternal bond. This portrayal critiques the burdens faced by women in isolated agrarian communities, balancing instinctual needs with familial duties. Through Tamar's unlabeled identity as a "," The Slut offers a sharp critique of roles and slut-shaming, subverting societal norms by presenting her without moral condemnation. The provocative title itself challenges viewers to confront biases, framing Tamar's behavior as a against the judgment imposed on women who defy ideals. This extends to broader commentary on how cultural expectations distort female , using Tamar's unapologetic sensuality to dismantle patriarchal constraints. The rural setting amplifies themes of isolation, contrasting the farm's stark, animal-filled landscape with the implied vibrancy of nearby urban , symbolizing Tamar's emotional barriers. Livestock and injured animals serve as metaphors for Tamar's inner world, with scenes of tending to wounded creatures mirroring his efforts to heal her guarded heart, while the farm's fences represent the confines of her . This rural-urban divide underscores Tamar's in a cycle of desire and withdrawal. Finally, the film probes the ambiguity of and , particularly in intimate post-coital conversations that expose Tamar's internal turmoil over vulnerability. Her reluctance to fully embrace Shai's affection reveals a deeper uncertainty about , portraying as elusive and fraught with the risk of loss. These moments emphasize how Tamar's pursuit of physical connection masks a profound , leaving the nature of true unresolved.

Cast and crew

Cast

Hagar Ben-Asher stars as , the film's protagonist and a promiscuous living on a remote ; she also wrote and directed the . Ishai Golan portrays , a who enters Tamar's life by treating her injured and develops into her primary romantic partner. Icho Avital plays Rami, one of Tamar's casual lovers who embodies the transient sexual encounters central to her character. Yoav and Tzahi Hanan appear in supporting roles as Yair and Doron, respectively, depicting additional lovers and farm associates that contribute to the ensemble's depiction of Tamar's isolated rural world. Stav Yanai and Daria Forman portray Tamar's young daughters, Mika and Noa, underscoring the family dynamics amid the adult themes.

Production crew

Hagar Ben-Asher served as both director and screenwriter for The Slut, marking her debut . She adapted her own original , which explores the life of a navigating her desires in a rural setting. The Slut was produced by Marek Rozenbaum for Transfax Film Productions and by Benny Drechsel and Karsten Stöter for Rohfilm Productions, managing the Israeli-German co-production. This collaboration handled logistical aspects and secured funding for the project, enabling its international scope. Amit Yasur served as , employing an arty and artful approach to capture intimate, naturalistic visuals. His work emphasized rural settings through motifs like open and closed doors, window spying, and comparisons of the to wounded animals, enhancing emotional depth via shots. Asaf Korman handled , shaping the 's elliptical to build slow tension around key sequences, including explicit encounters. Jed Kurzel composed the score, contributing to the film's atmospheric tension with subtle, naturalistic alongside Ronen Nagel and Yisrael David. Shunit Aharoni designed the , authentically recreating the dusty village and farm environments central to the narrative. Regarding a debated scene between leads and , actor confirmed it was simulated, creating an illusion of unsimulated penetration.

Production

Development

Hagar Ben-Asher drew inspiration for The Slut from her observations of rural life and personal reflections on desire as she transitioned to her first . Building on her 2007 short film Pathways, which explored a rural woman's sexual experiences and search for solace, Ben-Asher delved deeper into the complexities of a non-conformist like , avoiding stereotypes of victim or seductress. The originated from Ben-Asher's expansion of Pathways during a five-month Cinefondation residency in in 2007, where she wrote two drafts focusing on as a 35-year-old navigating desire and relationships in a rural setting. The script was developed as part of the Script&Pitch program at TorinoFilmLab and won a 100,000 Production Award at the 2009 Meeting Event as part of the programme, securing the project's greenlight for development. Funding for The Slut was secured through an Israeli-German co-production between Transfax Film Productions and Rohfilm Productions, with additional support from Torino Film Lab, World Cinema Fund, and Cinéfondation. The total budget amounted to 700,000 €, reflecting the modest scale typical of independent dramas. In casting, Ben-Asher initially intended to direct without acting but, after auditioning numerous actresses for the lead role of , decided at the last moment to cast herself to authentically capture the character's emotional and physical depth. She selected to portray , the veterinarian who becomes Tamar's primary romantic interest. Pre-production spanned from the 2009 TorinoFilmLab award to the start of on June 8, 2010, with filming concluding by late July at locations near Binyamina, .

Filming

for The Slut commenced on June 8, 2010, and spanned five weeks, capturing the film's summer rural ambiance in northern and central . The primarily took place on a real farm in a rural near Binyamina, utilizing authentic agricultural settings such as haylofts and stables to emphasize the protagonist's isolation and the natural light of the countryside. Director Hagar Ben-Asher, who also starred as the lead, adopted a sensitive approach to the film's intimate and explicit scenes, focusing on emotional depth and complexity rather than sensationalism, while questioning their narrative necessity during . Logistical challenges arose from filming with child actors portraying the protagonist's daughters, including Daria Forman and Stav Yanai; these scenes were handled discreetly, often through off-screen references or phone conversations to maintain focus on the adult narrative amid the farm environment. Technical execution included to heighten intimacy in key sequences, such as those set in animal enclosures, balancing the film's dramatic tone with its bold exploration of sexuality.

Release

Premiere

The Slut had its world premiere on May 12, 2011, at the , screening in the International Critics' Week sidebar as part of the official selection. The film runs 87 minutes and is presented in Hebrew with English subtitles, featuring a 2.35:1 and sound mix. Following its Cannes debut, The Slut continued its festival run with screenings at the 2011 Jerusalem Film Festival, where director Hagar Ben-Asher won the Best Director award from the Pirchi Family in memory of Anat Pirchi. The film was also selected for the New Directors Competition at the in October 2011, with multiple showings that generated further interest. At , the film's explicit sexual content drew early buzz, igniting debates among viewers and critics over whether scenes depicted simulated or —claims the director and cast explicitly denied—while audiences noted the bold through Ben-Asher's portrayal of the lead role. Promotional events, including director Q&As at and subsequent festivals, allowed Ben-Asher to elaborate on the film's exploration of sexual liberty and female autonomy.

Distribution

Following its premiere at international film festivals, The Slut received a in on May 17, 2012, distributed by local producer Transfax Film Productions and targeted primarily at art-house theaters in major cities such as and . This rollout was modest in scale, reflecting the film's independent status and focus on niche audiences interested in provocative . Internationally, sales were initially handled by Films Distribution, which acquired worldwide rights in February 2011 ahead of the Cannes premiere, facilitating deals for select markets including France (theatrical release July 11, 2012, via Zootrope Films), Germany (leveraging co-production ties with Rohfilm Factory), Austria, Switzerland, Canada, and Taiwan. In the United States, Strand Releasing managed distribution, with a limited theatrical run in 2012 followed by availability on video-on-demand platforms. The film's explicit content led to varying international ratings, often restricting it to adult audiences (e.g., unrated in the US with severe nudity warnings, and equivalent 18+ classifications elsewhere due to graphic sexual content). Home media releases included a DVD edition in and by late 2012, distributed through partners like in the (October 23, 2012). As of November 2025, the film is available for free streaming on platforms such as , alongside paid options on , , , , and On Demand. Marketing efforts centered on the film's bold title and themes of female sexuality, with posters and trailers highlighting the protagonist's unapologetic desires to generate buzz in and art-house circuits, contributing to its modest independent success without widespread commercial metrics.

Reception

Critical response

The critical reception to The Slut (2011) was mixed, with critics praising its bold and unapologetic exploration of female sexuality while frequently criticizing its slow pacing and lack of character depth. On , the film holds a 35% from four reviews (as of 2025), reflecting a divided response among professional critics. Variety's Alissa Simon commended the film's strong style, atmospheric , and non-judgmental feminist , highlighting standout by Amit Yasour that captures rural Israel's heightened sensory details. Similarly, a in noted the effective portrayal of small-town gossip and a foreboding atmosphere achieved through slow-moving and long takes, evoking a sense of caution around the protagonist's choices. Ben-Asher's directorial debut was often lauded for offering an authentic on intimacy and desire, with some outlets appreciating the raw, unsimulated depictions as a fresh take on women's . However, many reviews faulted the film for underdeveloped characters and repetitive explicit scenes that failed to provide deeper psychological insight. of described it as a "slow-going, rather pointless" drama, emphasizing its lack of narrative momentum despite the provocative subject matter. Simon echoed this in , pointing to the protagonist as a "lissome " with unclear motivations and insufficient emotional investment to engage audiences. Screen Daily critiqued Ben-Asher's triple role as writer, director, and lead actress as overambitious for a debut, resulting in a bland performance and unresolved thematic riddles around and . Audience reception mirrored the critical divide, with an IMDb rating of 4.3 out of 10 based on 1,033 votes (as of November 2025) and a average of 3.0 out of 5 from 278 users (as of 2025), where opinions split on the film's explicitness and artistic intent. In media and discussions, the film sparked conversations about women's representation and rural life, challenging societal judgments on sexuality through its portrayal of a single mother's unfiltered desires in a conservative setting.

Accolades

The Slut received several nominations and awards at international film festivals, recognizing its debut as Hagar Ben-Asher's directorial effort. At the , the film was nominated for the , awarded to the best first feature film in the Official Selection, , or sections, and was also nominated for the Critics' Week Grand Prize during its premiere in the sidebar. The film earned a win at the 2011 Jerusalem Film Festival, where Ben-Asher received the Pirchi Family Award in Memory of Anat Pirchi for Best Director, valued at 70,000 . It was nominated for the Gold in the New Directors Competition at the 2011 . In , the received the TorinoFilmLab Award of €100,000 at the 2009 TorinoFilmLab Meeting Event, the full financing amount to support development and production. At the 2011 Awards of the Israeli Film Academy (Ophir Awards), The Slut garnered three nominations: for Ben-Asher, for Amit Yasur, and .

References

  1. [1]
    The Slut (2011) - IMDb
    Rating 4.4/10 (1,033) The Slut: Directed by Hagar Ben-Asher. With Hagar Ben-Asher, Ishai Golan, Stav Yanai, Daria Forman. Tamar, a beautiful young woman, lives alone with her two ...Parents guide · User reviews · The Slut · Plot
  2. [2]
    Hanotenet The Slut | La Semaine de la Critique of Festival de Cannes
    Hanotenet The Slut. by Hagar Ben-Asher · 2011 Selection. ISRAEL / GERMANY 2011 1h27 IN HEBREW. World premiere Competition Feature Film. Tamar, 35, a beautiful ...
  3. [3]
    Awards - The Slut (2011) - IMDb
    The Slut (2011) - Awards, nominations, and wins. ... Cannes Film Festival · Hagar Ben-Asher. 2011 Nominee Golden Camera · Hagar ...
  4. [4]
    The Slut - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 35% (4) Discover reviews, ratings, and trailers for The Slut on Rotten Tomatoes. Stay updated with critic and audience scores today!
  5. [5]
    The Slut (Hanotenet) - Cineuropa
    The Slut: Slave or master of sexual liberty? 12/05/2011 | Cannes 2011 | SIC ... Afterwar crowned Best Film at the Euro Balkan Film Festival in Rome.Missing: nomination | Show results with:nomination
  6. [6]
    THE SLUT - ROW Pictures
    The Slut. Tamar's behavior is fixed. One man after another, a hand job, a ... They soon fall in love, but will Tamar be satisfied with only one partner? Festivals ...Missing: plot summary<|control11|><|separator|>
  7. [7]
    Slut, The - Strand Releasing
    THE SLUT. Tamar, an attractive single mother, lives alone in a small village with her two daughters. Unsatisfied, she attempts to fill her many voids ...
  8. [8]
    The Slut - Variety
    May 12, 2011 · A single mother of two young girls gives free rein to her sexual appetite in the ambitious but ultimately unsatisfying Israeli drama “The Slut,”
  9. [9]
    The Slut: Slave or master of sexual liberty? - Cineuropa
    May 12, 2011 · The Slut: Slave or master of sexual liberty? by Fabien Lemercier. 12/05/2011. Nothing can get in the way of physical impulses, not even when ...
  10. [10]
    The Slut | Reviews - Screen Daily
    Though its provocative title and subject may well open a few festival and art house doors, critical support for The Slut (Hanotenet) will most ...
  11. [11]
    Slut film stirs thoughts about sexuality - The Sydney Morning Herald
    May 16, 2011 · The Slut is set in rural Israel populated by chickens and horses and people who exchange few words. Time drags along, broken only by sexual ...Missing: themes | Show results with:themes
  12. [12]
    Cannes film review: "The Slut" - Reuters
    May 13, 2011 · ... Israeli drama about an attractive rural woman who ... Cannes film review: "The Slut". By Reuters. May 13, 20116:18 PM PDTUpdated May 13, 2011.Missing: themes | Show results with:themes
  13. [13]
    Hagar Ben-Asher | La Semaine de la Critique of Festival de Cannes
    She also wrote, directed and acted in The Slut, her first feature, that premiered at La Semaine de la Critique in 2011.
  14. [14]
    [PDF] THE SLUT | Strand Releasing
    THE SLUT is a romantic drama that was an Official Selection of Critics' Week at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and the Chicago International Film.
  15. [15]
    The Slut (2011) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    The Slut ; Hagar Ben-Asher · Hagar Ben-Asher ; Ishai Golan in Kfulim (2015). Ishai Golan · Ishai Golan ; Stav Yanai · Stav Yanai ; Daria Forman · Daria Forman ; Icho ...
  16. [16]
  17. [17]
    The Slut | Cast and Crew - Rotten Tomatoes
    The Slut: Full Cast & Crew. 2011, Drama. Tamar (Hagar Ben-Asher) lives alone with her daughters but cannot restrain her sexual appetites. After she meets Shai ...Missing: roles | Show results with:roles
  18. [18]
    Cannes 2011. Critics' Week Lineup on Notebook | MUBI
    Apr 18, 2011 · Hagar Ben Asher's The Slut. This debut feature "will tell of a woman (Ben Asher herself) drifting away from one sexual encounter to another ...Missing: personal experiences
  19. [19]
    Rohfilm to reunite with Asher | News - Screen Daily
    May 17, 2014 · Drechsel and his business partner Karsten Stöter were the German co-producers on Asher's debut feature The Slut, which had its world premiere at ...
  20. [20]
    THE SLUT - ROW Pictures
    The Slut. Hagar Ben-Asher. Israel/Germany, 2011. Feature Film. Tamar's behavior is fixed. One man after another, a hand job, a blow job, and so on. But she is ...Missing: handyman | Show results with:handyman
  21. [21]
    The Slut (2011) | MUBI
    THE SLUT. Hanotenet. Trailer. Directed by Hagar Ben Asher. Israel, Germany, 2011 ... Cannes Film Festival. 2011 | Official Selection ...Missing: nomination | Show results with:nomination
  22. [22]
    The Slut (2011) - Trivia - IMDb
    Many think that in the sex scene between her and Ishai Golan (playing Shay) the penetration is not simulated, but the actor said it was only an illusion.
  23. [23]
    Sex and the Farm Girl - Israeli Culture - Haaretz
    Jul 5, 2010 · On the set of 'The Slut,' Hagar Ben Asher explains how she became the lead actress in her first full-length feature film.
  24. [24]
    French release of THE SLUT by Hagar Ben-Asher - Torino Film Lab
    THE SLUT, feature debut of the Israeli writer-director-actress Hagar Ben-Asher, will be released in France tomorrow, July 11th. The project, produced by ...Missing: acting | Show results with:acting
  25. [25]
    Films – Completed – The Slut - Rohfilm Productions
    The Slut ; Feature film by: Hagar Ben-Asher Israel, Germany ; Year of Production: 2011 ; Writer: Hagar Ben-Asher ; Producers: Marek Rozenbaum, Benny Drechsel, ...Missing: co- | Show results with:co-
  26. [26]
    How an Acclaimed Israeli Director Ended Up on Death Row - Movies
    Nov 17, 2017 · With low-budget films 'The Slut' and 'The Burglar,' Hagar Ben-Asher has established herself as one of Israel's most in-your-face filmmakers.Missing: personal experiences
  27. [27]
    THE SLUT shooting starts on June 8th 2010 - Torino Film Lab
    THE SLUT goes into production on June 8th 2010. The project, directed by the Israel writer/director Hagar Ben Asher and produced by Marek Rozenbaum(Transfax ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  28. [28]
    A Body in Every Cellar - jstor
    As in Big Bad Wolves, violence is present in almost every scene in films such as Keshales and Papushado's Rabies (2010), Hagar Ben-Asher's The Slut (2011),.
  29. [29]
    The Slut: Cannes Review - The Hollywood Reporter
    May 13, 2011 · ... The Slut, a slow-going, rather pointless Israeli drama about an ... Cast: Hagar Ben Asher, Ishai Golan, Icho Avital, Yoav Levi, Tzahi Levi, Stav ...
  30. [30]
    2011 Festival | Jerusalem Film Festival
    The Pirchi Family Awardin Memory of Anat Pirchi for Best Director, in the amount of 70,000 NIS, goes to director Hagar Ben-Asher, for the film The Slut. The Van ...
  31. [31]
    The Slut - Movie Review : Alternate Ending
    Oct 14, 2011 · If I were to lay out the plot of The Slut all nice and simple, it would sound like Israel is now in the business of exporting its pornography: ...
  32. [32]
    Parents guide - The Slut (2011) - IMDb
    The Slut has severe sex & nudity, including explicit scenes, mild violence, no profanity, and severe frightening scenes.Missing: Cannes debate simulation unsimulated
  33. [33]
    Cannes Interview: 'The Slut' - YouTube
    May 13, 2011 · ... challenging offerings is Hagar Ben Asher's "The Slut", playing here as part of Critics' Week. The Israeli director also wrote the film as ...Missing: style | Show results with:style
  34. [34]
    Hagar Ben Asher's Film The Slut to be Released May 17 2012
    May 13, 2012 · Home Film Hagar Ben Asher's Film The Slut to be Released May 17 2012 ... Starring Hagar Ben Asher, Ishai Golan and Icho Avital, the film ...
  35. [35]
    Films Distribution chats up The Slut | News - Screen Daily
    Feb 12, 2011 · French sales outfit Films Distribution has taken international rights to The Slut by Israeli director Hagar Ben Asher.
  36. [36]
    The Slut : Hagar Ben Asher, Ishai Golan, Icho Avital ... - Amazon.com
    The two embark on an intense relationship in a quest for freedom and fulfillment and learn that the path to love involves more than just sexual chemistry.Missing: casting | Show results with:casting
  37. [37]
    The Slut - IMDb
    Trailer for The Slut. ... The Slut (2011). Not Rated | Drama, Romance. Watch options. The Slut. Trailer ...Missing: marketing posters
  38. [38]
    'Slut' stirs thoughts about sexuality at Cannes | The Independent
    May 14, 2011 · "The Slut" is set in a rural Israel populated by chickens and horses and people who exchange few words. Time drags along, broken only by sexual ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  39. [39]
    The Slut (2011) - Hagar Ben-Asher - Letterboxd
    Rating 3.0 (278) The Slut. 2011. הנותנת. Directed by Hagar Ben-Asher. Synopsis. Tamar, an attractive single mother, lives alone in a small village with her two daughters ...
  40. [40]
  41. [41]
    The winners of Chicago Filmfest 2011 | Festivals & Awards
    Dec 14, 2012 · The 47th Chicago International Film Festival gave its top award, a Gold Hugo for Best Film, to Aki Kaurismaki's drama “Le Havre” (Finland/France) ...
  42. [42]
    TorinoFilmLab Awards 2009
    content, the jury awards 100.000€, the full amount to complete the financing of THE SLUT by Hagar ben Asher. DEVELOPMENT AWARDS. Out of 20 projects which ...
  43. [43]
    Ophir Award 2011 – Nominations Announced | MidnightEast
    Aug 16, 2011 · Best Actress Evelyn Hagoel – My Lovely Sister Hagar Ben Asher – The Slut Chen Yani – Melting Away Batya Bar – Beautiful Valley Keren Berger ...
  44. [44]
    Footnote Leads Ophir Award List With 13 Nominations - Haaretz Com
    Aug 18, 2011 · The contenders for best actress are Evelin Hagoel ("My Lovely Sister" ), Hagar Ben Asher ("The Slut" ), Chen Yani ("Melting Away" ), Batya ...