Ha-Sodot

I saw this film tonight and was utterly blown away...It seems that the quality of Israeli films has drastically increased in recently years, but this film in particular hits all the right notes of comedy and tragedy that truly inspire.

The plot is multifaceted and contains multiple layers and questions. Indeed, it is far more ambitious in the tale it weaves than most.

A lesser film would settle for the storyline of the uptight girl taught a life lesson as she helps an elder, or the uptight girl falling in love and learning to live life not by the rules, or else maybe tentatively learn to question her religious upbringing, but this film manages to weave all of these elements together and truly make them sing.

The characters are without exception well fleshed out and wonderful. They all feel like real human beings rather than caricatures. In particular, the main love story is poignant and well fleshed out. The tragedy of forbidden desire is truly a tangible ingredient in the film's brew.

One of my favorite things about non-American cinema in general, but especially Israeli film, in fact, is the way they show love and the human body in a beautiful and sensual fashion without over dramatizing or being untrue. Last years Haboah ("The Bubble") did this exceptionally well, as does this film...

This was a truly powerful film that challenged notions of religious authority and hierarchy will simultaneously treating them with the utmost respect and a mysterious power. Absolutely worth seeking out and seeing.

It may be a honor to be nominated, but there can only be one winner. Unfortunately this great 2007 film had the misfortune to be competing with The Band's Visit, and outstanding film. Fortunately, it is eligible this year for a GLADD award for a feature film in limited release.

The performances by Fanny Ardant as Anouk, Ania Bukstein as Noemi, and Michal Shtamler as Michel (That's Michelle!) were outstanding.

It was a powerful and fascinating look at a very patriarchal society, and a glimpse that even Jews have differences of opinion on their religion (Are they Protestant?).

Funny, compelling, sure to anger you over the treatment of women, warm and tender: it is an excellent film.

I don't have too much to add to the previous comments but I wonder why there have been no comments since last October. This movie must be hiding for the right opportunity(ies) to be seen.

I previewed this movie as part of an upcoming Jewish Film Festival and it was far and away the best drama that I have seen, perhaps in several years.

I thought the Orthodox Jewish milieu was going to be a turn-off but that only added to a great story, directing, acting, setting, and scenery.

The actresses seemed to be familiar types from other, English-language, films but they probably were not. Just a very good experience.

But the ending is a tad dated on the choices available or i might be too presumptuous.

Covers a lot of life choices on what's right and wrong and the in between. And how a book written 2000 years and more ago could dictate ones life action and false righteousness.

Film for thought!

The orthodox religious and studious Jewish Naomi (Ania Bukstein) is the daughter of a prominent rabbi and is promised to marry the arrogant yeshiva student Michael (Guri Alfi). Naomi secretly dreams on becoming a rabbi and after the death of her mother, she succeeds in convincing his father to postpone her marriage and be sent to the traditional Seminary of Knowledge and Truth in the ancient city of Safed in the mountains. The grieving Naomi shares a room with the outcast and free-spirited Michelle (Michal Shtamler) and two other roommates. Naomi and Michelle are assigned by the headmistress to help Anouk (Fanny Ardant), a woman that spent fifteen years in prison for killing her lover, and is terminal with cancer. Anouk asks for the purification Kabalistic ritual Tikkun to reach God, and the girls decide to help her. Meanwhile Naomi falls in love for Michelle and she finds in the Bible that their desire is not considered a sin in the eyes of God. While assisting Anouk, Naomi tries to convince her beloved friend that their relationship is not wrong in a repressive society ruled and judged by men.

"Ha-Sodot" a.k.a. "The Secrets" is a beautiful, sensitive and transgressor romance in a society ruled by conservative rabbis and extremely repressive with women. I immediately recalled Peter Jackson's "Heavenly Creatures" and the platonic love of Juliet Hilme and Pauline Parker. Further, Ania Bukstein and Michal Shtamler slightly resemble Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in the beginning of their careers. It is engaging to see in 2009 such different society when compared with the western culture, and a director exposing this situation without any judgment or manipulation. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Segredos Íntimos" ("Intimate Secrets")