The Secrets - Orthodox Judaism & Women

This film is directed and written by Avi Nesher, an Israeli filmmaker who's made a few interesting films. His co-writer was Hadar Galron.

Naomi, daughter of the head of a yeshiva, requests postponement of her wedding after her mother's death so that she may spend one year in study at a women's seminary in Safed. While studying there she befriends Michelle. They are assigned to bring food to Anouk, a mysterious French woman (portrayed by Fanny Ardant) who is very sick and who carries the burdens of her sins. The two young women devise a form of Tikun for her and become closer as they try to find a way to ease her suffering. They get in trouble for trying to help Anouk.

Their friendship is strained as they both want different things from life.

This film qualifies as a multilingual film with Hebrew, French and a tiny bit of English dialogue. It also has some beautiful cinematography!

I found this film to be an interesting look into the world of Orthodox Judaism and the challenges facing women who choose to go beyond their traditional roles.

I found this interesting link on the history of ordination of women rabbis.

Warning: There is nudity in this film. Unlike some films that have nudity for no good reason, I feel that it's relevant to the story.

Some quotes from this film:

"Accidental contact does not constitute sin."---Michael (played by Guri Alfi )

"No one's more chaste than Naomi. At age 5 she wouldn't go to synagogue in shiny shoes for fear they would reflect her..."  ---Racheli (played by Alma Zack)

"Women's idle chat. Like we're a couple of airheads."---Naomi (played by Ania Bukstein)

"Remember when I was little I wanted to head a yeshiva, like father?"---Naomi

"We can't let our emotional state dictate our lives."---Naomi's father

"Believe me, if I sing, no one will be happy here."---Sheine (played by Talli Oren)

"One is prohibited from self-mortification by fasting."---Naomi

"I know who she murdered. I looked it up on the Internet."---Michelle (played by Michal Shtamler)

"My mother, rest her soul, said that immersing herself in the ritual bath taught her to accept her body. Even after giving birth, even while she was ill."---Naomi

"In music, you're always taught to play the traditional way, but sometimes the untraditional way is the right way." ---Yanki (played by Adir Miller)

Here are a few scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer: