Shira Haas

Shira Haas (Hebrew: שירה האס‎; born 11 May 1995)[1] is an Israeli actress. She gained national prominence for her roles in Israeli drama film and television (e.g. Shtisel),[2][3] before gaining international praise for her performance in the Netflix miniseries Unorthodox (2020).[4][5][6][7][8] For Unorthodox, Haas received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. For her film roles, she has won one Israeli Academy Award out of four nominations and won the Tribeca Film Festival Award for Best International Actress for her performance in Asia (2020).

Shira Haas
שירה האס
Haas at the Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles in 2018
Born (1995-05-11) 11 May 1995
Tel Aviv, Israel
EducationThelma Yellin High School for the Arts
OccupationActress
Years active2014–present
Home townHod HaSharon, Israel

Early life and career

1995–2014: Early life and Princess debut

Shira Haas was born on 11 May 1995[9] in Tel Aviv, Israel,[10][11] to a Jewish family. Her parents, both sabras, are of Polish, Hungarian, and Czech descent. Her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, had been imprisoned in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.[12] As a one year old, she moved with her parents to Hod HaSharon,[11] to the home where she spent most of her early years.[13] When she was two, Haas had been diagnosed with kidney cancer and recovered two years later after a series of severe treatments.[14]

At the age of 14, she began performing in plays at the Cameri Theater, such as Ghetto and Richard III.[15] She made her television debut as the role of Ruchami Weiss in the drama series Shtisel in 2013.[8] Haas studied theater at Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts in Givatayim,[10] before completing a short period of service in the Israeli Defense Forces.[16] While studying at Thelma Yellin, Haas was approached by a casting director by the name of Esther Kling via Facebook message in 2014.[17][11] She encouraged Haas to audition for the lead role in the film Princess (2014).[18] After getting her debut role at the age of 16, Haas was praised by The New York Times for her "truly remarkable lead performance",[19] and was admired by The Hollywood Reporter for fitting the part of a 12-year-old character with her "petite frame and baby-smooth complexion".[20] The role won her the awards for Best Actress at both the Jerusalem Film Festival[21] and the Peace & Love Film Festival,[22] as well as a nomination for Best Leading Actress at the Israeli Academy Awards.[23]

2015–2017: Hollywood debut
Haas promoting The Zookeeper's Wife at Warsaw Zoo in 2017

Haas made her first appearance in an international film when she played the role of young Fania in Natalie Portman's directorial-debut, A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015).[24] Haas also appeared alongside Jessica Chastain in Niki Caro's The Zookeeper's Wife (2017), which led to her prime time American talk show debut on The Today Show in 2016.[25][11] Haas auditioned for the role over Skype call.[16] She earned her second Israeli Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Foxtrot (2017),[26] which made the final shortlist for the 90th Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.[27] Haas also played the role of Leah in Garth Davis' film adaptation of Mary Magdalene (2018).[28]

2018–2019: National breakthrough

By the start of 2018, Haas had made a name for herself in many prime time Israeli drama television shows: Shtisel (2013–2016), The Jeweler (2015), The Switch Principle (2016), Harem (2017) and The Conductor (2018). At the 2018 Israeli Academy Awards, Haas was nominated for both Best Leading Actress for Broken Mirrors (2018) and Best Supporting Actress for Noble Savage (2018), the latter of which she won.[29] She made the Israeli Forbes list of 30 under 30 in February 2019,[10] before appearing alongside Harvey Keitel in the second biblical film in her acting career, Esau (2019).[30]

2020–present: International breakthrough with Unorthodox

Haas arrived in Berlin two months before the shooting of Unorthodox in order to study the Yiddish language which would be primarily spoken in the series.[31] Besides Yiddish lessons, Haas was required to shave her head and also completed both piano and singing lessons in order to prepare for the role of Esther "Esty" Shapiro, who runs away from her arranged marriage and Ultra-Orthodox community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City.[32][33] The Netflix series is based on the true life story of Deborah Feldman, who wrote an autobiography by the same name.[34] James Poniewozik of The New York Times described Haas as "a phenomenon, expressive and captivating."[35] Brigid Delaney of The Guardian described her as "mesmerising" and "outstanding," noting: "physically tiny, like a child, the viewer is immediately protective of her."[36] Sheena Scott of Forbes wrote that Haas "offers an incredible performance as Esty, full of subtlety, delicately revealing her character’s inner struggle and happiness without needing to say a word."[37] Hank Stuever of The Washington Post wrote that she "lends a grave and yet vulnerable luminescence to the role."[38]

Haas acted alongside Alena Yiv in the role of a daughter who becomes confined to a wheelchair in the Israeli film Asia (2020), which was premiered online at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[39] The role earned Haas the award for Best International Actress at the festival.[40][41] The jury wrote, "Her face is a never-ending landscape in which even the tiniest expression is heartbreaking; she’s an incredibly honest and present actress who brings depth to everything she does."[40] In late April 2020, she joined a virtual ceremony celebrating Israel’s 72nd Independence Day with other Israeli stars.[42] Haas was signed to Creative Artists Agency in June 2020.[43]

Approaching the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, Haas was predicted as a very likely candidate for a Best Lead Actress in a Limited Series nomination (for Unorthodox) by various publications.[44][45][46] She received the nomination in late July 2020,[47][48] becoming the first actress performing in a primarily Yiddish-speaking role to do so.

Personal life

As of April 2020, Haas lives in Tel Aviv.[49][50]

Selected filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Princess Adar Nominated — Israel Academy Award for Best Leading Actress
Best Actress Jerusalem Film Festival
Best Actress P&L Film Festival
2015 A Tale of Love and Darkness Fania (young)
2017 Foxtrot Alma Nominated — Israel Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
2017 The Zookeeper's Wife Urszula
2018 Mary Magdalene Leah
2018 Noble Savage Anna Israel Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
2019 Broken Mirrors Ariela Nominated — Israel Academy Award for Best Leading Actress
2019 Esau Leah
2020 Asia Vika Tribeca Film Festival Award for Best International Actress

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2013–present Shtisel Ruchami Weiss All 24 episodes
2015 Hazoref Sofi All 7 episodes
2016 Ikaron HaHachlafa Salame Television miniseries; All 3 episodes
2017 Harem Tamar All 8 episodes
2018 HaMenatzeah Odi All 10 episodes
2020 Unorthodox Esther Shapiro Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Awards and nominations

Israeli Academy Awards
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2014 Israeli Academy Awards Best Leading Actress Princess Nominated [51]
2017 Best Supporting Actress Foxtrot Nominated [26]
2018 Best Supporting Actress Noble Savage Won [29]
Best Leading Actress Broken Mirrors Nominated

Other awards
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2014 Jerusalem Film Festival Best Actress Princess Won [52]
2015 Peace & Love Film Festival Won [53]
2020 Tribeca Film Festival Best International Actress Asia Won [41]
German Television Award Best Actress Unorthodox Nominated [54]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Pending [55]
Gold Derby Awards Best Movie/Limited Series Actress Pending [56]
Breakthrough Performer of the Year Pending
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References
  1. "שירה האס" [Shira Haas]. Ishim Film Database (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 April 2020. (born 11/5/1995)
  2. Lisabeth, Zach (7 April 2020). "Shira Haas is a darling of the Israeli film scene". Looper. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  3. Spiro, Amy (26 August 2018). "Five Israeli actors making their mark on Hollywood". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  4. Wilkinson, Alissa (26 March 2020). "Netflix's Unorthodox movingly captures the pain and power of leaving a strict religious community". Vox. Retrieved 15 April 2020. Unorthodox has been largely well-received by critics, who praised Shira Haas’s performance in particular.
  5. Syme, Rachel (9 April 2020). ""Unorthodox," Reviewed: A Young Woman's Remarkable Flight from Hasidic Williamsburg". The New Yorker. Retrieved 13 April 2020. Haas’s remarkable performance manages to convey the reserves of pain, both personal and communal, in Esty’s story.
  6. Gilbert, Matthew (15 April 2020). "There's a mesmerizing and moving performance at the heart of 'Unorthodox'". Boston Globe. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  7. Wloszczyna, Susan (2 April 2020). "'Unorthodox': Here's the unlikely uplifting heroine you need to root for right now". Gold Derby. Retrieved 15 April 2020. Haas by all rights deserves to be treated as a full-blown star
  8. Saval, Malina (26 March 2020). "'Unorthodox' Star Shira Haas Brings Yiddish, Hassidic Judaism and Contemporary German Culture to Netflix". Variety. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  9. AlloCine. "Shira Haas". AlloCiné (in French). Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  10. "Forbes Israel 30 Under 30: שירה האס". Forbes (in Hebrew). 17 January 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  11. Levin, Talia (7 April 2019). "שירה האס: "הבראתי לפני 20 שנה, אך אין ספק שהסרטן הוא חלק ממני"" [Shira Haas: 'I gave it up 20 years ago, but the cancer is definitely still a part of me']. Maariv. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  12. Tilchen, Jordyn (26 March 2020). "'Unorthodox' Remembers Atrocities Of The Past While Stepping Bravely Into The Future". MTV News. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  13. Bogen, Amir (14 March 2020). "שירה האס: 'לא אוכל לגלם צעירות לנצח, אני כבר מרגישה את זה'" [Shira Haas: "I can't play young women forever, I already feel it"]. Ynet. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  14. Segal, Itai (31 October 2018). ""ככל שהזמן עובר, אודישנים, תפקידים ואולי גם החיים, נהיים עבורי יותר קלים"" [As time goes on, auditions, roles and even life get better for me]. Yedioth Ahronoth (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  15. Sinai, Liron (25 March 2020). "'טוב שיש סרטים שעוסקים בהטרדות מיניות'" ['It's good to have movies about sexual harassment']. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  16. Bashan, Hadas (10 May 2017). "שירה האס מככבת בהוליווד ועושה אודישנים מהספה בהוד השרון". Mako. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  17. Tauer, Kristen; Tauer, Kristen (19 March 2020). "Israeli Actress Shira Haas Streams Into the U.S. With 'Unorthodox'". WWD. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  18. Miller, Gerri (25 March 2020). "'Shtisel' Star Shira Haas Leaves the Charedi Life in 'Unorthodox'". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  19. Catsoulis, Jeannette (26 May 2016). "Review: In 'Princess,' an Israeli Family in Need of Boundaries". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  20. Felperin, Leslie (29 January 2015). "'Princess': Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  21. "2014 Festival". Jerusalem Film Festival. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  22. "P&LFF 2015 Award Winners". P&L Film Festival. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  23. Brown, Hannah (13 August 2014). "'Zero Motivation' gets 12 Ophir nods". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  24. Kerr, Rose (25 August 2016). "A Tale of Love and Darkness". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  25. "Jessica Chastain On 'Zookeeper's Wife' And Her Real-Life Love Of Animals". The Today Show. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  26. Hannah Brown (19 August 2017). "2017 Ophir nominations announced". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  27. Kamin, Debra (19 September 2017). "Israel's 'Foxtrot' Sweeps Ophir Awards to Become Country's Oscar Entry". Variety. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  28. Zaltzman, Lior (18 April 2018). "There Are So Many Jews in the New Jesus Movie 'Mary Magdalene'". Kveller. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  29. Brown, Hannah (7 September 2018). "The Cakemaker's sweet Ophir win". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  30. Kamin, Debra (27 March 2020). "Harvey Keitel to Star in Pavel Lungin's 'Esau,' Modern Retelling of Biblical Story". Variety. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  31. Dry, Jude (4 April 2020). "'Unorthodox': How Shira Haas Crafted Her Riveting Performance in the Netflix Drama". IndieWire. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  32. Seth, Radhika (27 April 2020). "Shira Haas Describes Overnight Fame And How Netflix's 'Unorthodox' Is A Universally Groundbreaking Story Of Escape". British Vogue. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  33. O'Malley, Katie (15 April 2020). "Unorthodox: The True Story Behind The Hit Netflix Show". ELLE. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  34. Dry, Jude; Dry, Jude (4 April 2020). "'Unorthodox': How Shira Haas Crafted Her Riveting Performance in the Netflix Drama". IndieWire. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  35. Poniewozik, James (25 March 2020). "Review: 'Unorthodox,' a Stunning Escape From Brooklyn". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  36. Delaney, Brigid (19 April 2020). "Unorthodox: a thrilling story of rebellion and freedom from New York to Berlin". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  37. Scott, Sheena (31 March 2020). "'Unorthodox' Review: Portrait Of A Young Woman Finding Freedom In Berlin". Forbes. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  38. Stuever, Hank (25 March 2020). "Review | 'Unorthodox' carefully and beautifully depicts a young woman's flight from tradition". Washington Post. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  39. "A Statement from Tribeca". Tribeca Film Festival. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  40. Brown, Hannah (30 April 2020). "Israeli actress Shira Haas wins Best Actress award at Tribeca Festival". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  41. Davis, RaVal (30 April 2020). "Women Win Big At 2020 Tribeca Film Festival Awards: Alice Wu, Ruthy Pribar, Lena Waithe, Tiffany Johnson, Julia Jansch And More". Forbes. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  42. Dolstein, Josefin (29 April 2020). "Shira Haas, Ben Platt and Josh Malina send birthday wishes to Israel in Independence Day virtual ceremony". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  43. D'Alessandro, Anthony (26 June 2020). "CAA Signs Netflix 'Unorthodox' Actress Shira Haas". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  44. Feinberg, Scott (15 May 2020). "Best Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie - Feinberg Forecast: The First Read of the 2020 Primetime Emmys Race". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  45. Fried-Tanzer, Abe (19 May 2020). "Emmy Watch: Lead Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries". The Film Experience. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  46. Anderson, Erik (27 April 2020). "Emmy Predictions: Limited Series categories". AwardsWatch. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  47. Brown, Hannah (28 July 2020). "Israeli actress Shira Haas receives Emmy nomination for 'Unorthodox'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  48. Lavin, Will (28 July 2020). "See full list of 2020 Emmy Awards nominations". NME. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  49. Pines, Guy (30 March 2020). "שירה האס: "אמרתי 'נחמד שאתם מאמינים בי ככה, אבל לא נראה לי'"" [Shira Haas: "I said 'It's nice that you believe in me, but I don't think so'"]. Good Evening with Guy Pines. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  50. Ighanian, Catherine Gonsholt (6 April 2020). "Måtte barbere av alt håret for TV-serie". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  51. Dekel, Ayelet (12 August 2014). "Ophir Awards 2014: Nominations". Midnight East. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  52. Brown, Hannah (21 July 2014). "Scenes from the Jerusalem Film Festival". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  53. Eduardo (5 September 2015). "Peace and love filmfestival – avslutning". Onyanserat (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  54. "2020 Nominierung: Deutscher Fernsehpreis". Deutscher Fernsehpreis (in German). Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  55. "2020 Primetime Emmy® Awards – Nomination Press Release" (PDF). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  56. "2020 Gold Derby TV Awards nominations: 'Succession,' 'Schitt's Creek' and 'The Good Place' among top contenders". Gold Derby. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
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