It was interesting, touching, well-acted... just an overall very well-made film. For those who haven't heard of it - it's a film starring Shuli Rand. Rand was an Israeli actor who was chozer b'tshuvah (became religious) through Breslov [a type of Chassidus (Hassidism) - much focus on serving God with joy] and stopped acting. He ran into a director, who essentially questioned how he could not possibly do another movie with Rand. Rand explained some of the restrictions he would face which essentially prohibited making a movie. The director, who was not religious, told him to write all his restrictions, and he would create a movie around them. They also consulted with Rand's rabbi, who in addition to being very positive about the idea, made them promise to include Rand's wife (also a chozer b'tshuvah actress I believe) in the film, and allowed them to film within the Breslov community to make it quite authentic.
The director said his primary focus in the film was to show irreligious Israelis the lives of charedi (Haredi) Jews from within, as he felt that many chilonim (irreligious Jews) have a hatred for the charedim from a pure lack of understanding of them. The movie has been quite a hit in Israel (from my understanding), and we heard an excellent line that an irreligious Israeli had said: "For about an hour and a half, I actually liked the charedim."
The movie itself is about a very poor couple (Rand and his wife) who are both Breslover chozrim b'tshuvah but have not been able [to their frustration] to have a child. They cannot afford what they need for Sukkos, including a Sukkah, an esrog [citron], and most food - and they receive a couple of interesting guests for the holiday as well. It's very much worth seeing, and for anyone in LA, take out two hours to watch it. I'm not sure where else it's being shown, but I'm sure there's ways of finding out online.
Moadim L'Simcha! (Happy holidays!)
I grow up down the street from that theater. Spent many hours around Ventura boulevard. You are around the old hometown.
ReplyDeleteGrew up. Grew up is what I meant to say. Oops.
ReplyDeleteCool... we actually were driving around Ventura tonight - but in North Hollywood, not Encino. LA is so nice!
ReplyDeleteI know that area well. I live walking distance from Shaarei Tzedek. The weather is a little chilly now, but you probably wouldn't notice.
ReplyDeleteIf you like fish there is a place in Sherman Oaks called The Fish Grill that is pretty good. It is not what you call fine dining, but it is good.
Cool - I davened at Shaarei Tzedek on Shabbos, and will probably be there at least part of the time Shemini Atzeres/Simchas Torah. I think the weather is fine, everyone else is complaining. :)
ReplyDeleteWe've eaten at Pasta Vino/KoSushi in the city, hit Venice Beach, went to the Grove (rode the trolley!), driven around the Valley, and today went to La Pizza. Motzei Yom Tov we'll probably go to Universal Walk... just have to see what we'll do today!
You really have been wandering around all of my haunts. I am walking distance from Shaarei Tzedek, North of Chandler. The weather has been grey, we are used to blue skies. Sounds like you are enjoying your trip. That is good, there is a lot to do out here.
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