I was wondering how people that aren't Jewish or have any connection at all to Isreal or Judaism felt about the movie. For me, it was interesting because I'm Jewish and I understood the rituals and customs, but how is it for someone who doesn't. Please reply with how you felt, good or bad.
sharethis film is funny & beautiful & enlightening… i’m not jewish & i don’t know any [seriously practicing] jews, just a lot of Non-religious coworkers & alumni & roommates, etc -- who behave VERY differently than the main characters in this story, so u can imagine my curiosity -- similar to the way i wonder about the amish or the mormons (i’m curious cuz it’s new & different & intriguing to me)…
anyway, i voted 8 out of 10 stars, which is a pretty high score imho…
btw, i am an asian-american Unitarian who adores “foreign” movies cuz they’re often so much better than hollywood-junk… & i also believe that non-jews can totally watch & learn from this movie (if they want to), & enjoy its humor, & appreciate the love between wife & husband… it’s a great movie & i'm recommending it to all of my friends who haven't already seen it (i guess it's already been out 3 years or so)...
I was very impressed with their straightforward depiction of pious people trying to live their faith. When Mali was dancing around the kitchen, singing along with the praise music, I had a sudden vision of an evangelical Christian couple doing exactly the same thing. The details will be different from group to group, but the sincere attempt to follow God's will is the same.
shareI'm a Christian and I really liked it. Very moving.
shareI'm neither Jewish or Christian, and thought is was a very engrossing movie. I found the look into the Orthodox Jewish religion to be fascinating. My only problem with the movie is that I felt like it ended all too soon. And I didn't think there was enough of a resolution with the two convicts.
That being said, I was surprised that Mali is not an actress in life, she did a wonderful job. Also, the part when Moshe discovers the eaten citrus, and runs away in frustration... I don't know, he was just so incredible at that moment.
Great soundtrack, too.
I was very happy with the way it ended. They deserved a happy ending. ^^
I'm done with thoughtful signatures for the time being.
I have considered myself agnostic for a long time, but was raised in a non-denominational Christian faith. I recently returned to college, where I have decided to study Comparative Religion in conjunction with my art history studies. Maybe it is because I am feeling called to some sort of spiritual life, I'm not sure. For a Western Traditions class, I recently read a book about the Jewish tradition by Melvin Konner entitled <i>Unsettled: An Anthropology of the Jews</i> which somewhat touched upon the subject from a secular point of view.
At any rate, I'm not very far into my studies. But when I watched this, there was something about Moshe's faith that transcended religion and tradition. Particularly in the part where he is running through the forest and begging for an answer, I felt like I could really relate and it touched my soul very deeply. I felt that this was a film about redemption and about the ability to become close to the Divine even with a past full of wrongdoing.
I don't know much about the tradition from a Jewish standpoint, but I remember studying Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah in the Old Testament in Sunday school when I was a kid. I think I remember reading that Abram became Abraham when he changed and turned toward G-d. I very much saw this theme echoed in this movie. I also saw the theme of conception echoed with Mali returns to Moshe and she is kind of laughing with incredulity, just like Sarah laughed.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I loved this movie.
I tend to agree. The quest for the spiritual is universal and very well illustrated by this film.
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Fight the storm.
I'm an atheist Canadian with no ties to Israel whatsoever. Loved it. I thought it was a fantastic slice of life (albeit a very strange lifestyle) and Shuli Rand delivered a monumental performance.
It's been 3 or 4 years now that I saw this at my small town film festival, and I wish I could see it again.
I am not jewish (catholic). My intention is not to offend anyone, but this is what I think about the movie:
The story by itself is nothing to write home about. It's plain shallow. But the detailed reconstruction of the daily life and beliefs of this particular group of people was pretty useful AND interesting to me in order to understand the mentality of ultra-orthodox jews in modern Israel.
I just wonder how would be the reception of a movie portraying the christian and muslim counterparts of these ultra-conservative jews under the same benevolent light...
What would everybody out there think about members of the "Opus Dei" (One of the most conservative and fundamentalist orders of catholicism) or about some fundamentalist muslims being portrayed as nice and tolerant people?
I bet those films would be labeled as religious propaganda at least, or worse.
Just my 2 cents.
I am also Catholic, but that has nothing to do with why I enjoyed the movie. The characters are well-developed and tell and age old story about enduring love and it's many obstacles. Here is a wonderful, loving couple who want nothing more than to have a child to share and multiply their happiness. So many trials come to them and each one they come through the best they can. The couple was wonderful in portraying how much they loved each other, and the words of the rabbi saying to Moishe to make his wife happy as that was his purpose was so insightful to how relationships between a husband and wife is to be.
I really enjoyed it and cried when she returned to tell him she was pregnant...how wonderful. Wish there were more stories like this, no matter what the religion. A good story, with good actors is a win- win situation.
Kinematico,
I feel that you are respectfull and I want to be also.
But IMHO you are mixing apples and oranges. This is not jewish fundamentalism.
Jews are suposed to live that way (although I personally don't do, and today perhaps only 20% or less are so religious).
Please note that they are profoundly orthodox but they don't try to influence others, actually just the opposite.
"Love your neighbor as yourself", is a basic believe in judaism (search more about that on Hillel).
Besides, I greatly enjoyed the movie. Great one !
Fantastic film! I really liked the stories and positive messages it carries.And anyone like Moshe or Malli would be great to know and be around,lovely down to earth,on the level characters,definately my kind of people.
Im from England,and dont follow any set religeous group.I guess the nearest i get to a religeon is: treating other living things as I would like to be treated,something similar to karma,and enjoying+experiencing mother nature (the one true 'goddess'/'god' IMO so far:)
I loved this story and usually only enjoy junk like Zontar, Thing from Venus.
Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.
Okay, I'll share. FYI, I spent several years in a Messianic Synagogue, where Jews who believe Yeshua is the Messiah and non-Jews who believe the same co-mingle and worship together. So, it's not like I have no Jewish roots.
As to how I felt about this movie, I liked it (8/10), but I already knew about most of the Jewish customs involving Sukkot, since I have celebrated that feast and all the other Jewish Feasts for several years.
What causes me some anxiety while watching this movie is the message it makes at the end - faithful people who pass God's tests get Earthly rewards, like Sarah and Abraham.
I do not believe that is a 100% guarantee, because some people only get Heavenly rewards, while not receiving much here on Earth. Thus, I would not wish anyone to walk away from this movie thinking God to be some Genie in a bottle who grants us all we desire when we are good little boys and girls. Although I will conclude with this - God is faithful, and he will honor those who honor Him. (The honor is His choosing.)
I can go on and on, but for now, that's my 1st thought. I hope I answered your question.
- The Truth is Out There, and I found it in Christ!