Unorthodox

A young woman, trapped by the culture of orthodox religion escapes to start a fresh life, build new friendships, learn. Pursued by those that won't let go, she exercises the power to be herself come what may.

An inspiring piece of film making and a standout performance by Shira Haas. Hopefully goes some way to enlightening and empowering those in similar positions, demonstrating that there is a way to independence and self fulfilment, while educating a wider audience to the challenges faced by some, in the presence of traditions dating back to the pharaohs - overwhelmingly traditions used by men to control women.

Overall I really liked the show, it was interesting to gain a little insight in a world that I'm not familiar with. The acting was really good. But it went down the drain when the story moved to Berlin. The writer changed the story so much that it became a gimmick. Meeting a group of divers people, immediately becoming your best friends, 5 seconds after you get off the plane, is just ridiculous. Especially in contrast to the start of the movie, where the story still felt true. It's a shame, could have been a lot better if they didn't try to add their own spin on the story. Still worth the watch

The deeply moving true story of Esty, a young woman who never felt like she fit in with her extremely structured Jewish Orthodox community in New York City. Viewed as an "orphan" by her immediate family, Esty is very close with her maternal Grandmother, who seems to be her only true friend after being abandoned by her birth mother, who "shamed" the family by marrying outside of her faith.

The story begins at different points, swinging back and forth from the recent past, where a "Matchmaker" arranged for Esty's marriage to the similarly awkward son of a jeweler, to the present, where Esty flees to Berlin, Germany with virtually only the clothes on her body. For the first time, Esty experiences a world of progress', progressive ideas, and progressive ways of life. A group of young musicians enter Esty's life and change everything. - Will an abandoned husband and the angry extended family accept Esty's "unorthodox" life choices? Not without a fight!

As a native to Berlin, this story is deeply touching my heart. I see in Esty's story elements of my own family history, and the history of this world. It gives me hope that we will do more than "never forget", but continue to grow as decent human beings, to get ever closer to the potentials of humanity, living peacefully to enjoy the one life we have, and to contribute to the joy of others. There is so much more that unites us than sets us apart. As a television drama series, "Unorthodox" is among the finest I've been privileged to see.

I cried a little while I reflected a lot. Beautifully told story. Wonderfully acted. Etsy's journey was relatable not because she was Jewish but because she was a young woman on a journey to womanhood, independence, Self-efficacy

As Deborah Feldman said in the Making of Unorthodox, the languages spoken may be foreign to some, but the happenings within the story line are universally understood.

Completely underrated.