You have probably been told to avoid the topics of politics and religion at parties—they are always contentious subjects and best left alone in polite conversation. But as the subject of a film? Perfectly acceptable.
One such film is making its way to the big screen this year: Director Emil Ben-Shimon’s “The Women’s Balcony,” a film about a local Orthodox community in Jerusalem that is disrupted when the balcony in the synagogue collapses, leaving the entire building in disrepair and hospitalizing Rabbi Menashe’s wife. The rabbi immediately falls into poor health, psychologically unable to cope with his wife’s unresponsiveness, and the community is essentially left without a leader—and without funds to repair the synagogue.
The men turn to a neighboring synagogue for help, and Rabbi David (Avraham Aviv Alush) comes to their aid. He quickly puts forward the funds to renovate the synagogue, even in time for Purim. But there is a problem—the women enter the synagogue to find that their balcony has not been built.
In many Jewish synagogues, men and women are separated. Sometimes, there is a simple separation down the middle of the synagogue, and sometimes there is almost a separate room. And, sometimes, the women have their own bright, open balcony, watching the service from behind the men. The latter is what the women of this congregation have been accustomed to, and the loss of freedom in their place of worship is apparent.
The film focuses on Ettie (Evelin Hagoel) and her husband, Zion (Igal Naor), a couple who, while not particularly strict in their orthodoxy, are certainly heavily involved in the work of their synagogue. After Rabbi David theorizes that it may be the women’s impurity that has caused this problem to begin with—and encourages the women to wear head scarves—Ettie takes matters into her own hands. The men may seem enraptured by Rabbi David’s sermons, but Ettie leads the women in bristling with the injustice of the circumstance, trying to right the wrong that has been done in their community.
This is a fascinating story about the battle between a loving community and orthodox religion, a topic that many can relate to. Rabbi David reflects the staunch immovability of those who strive to uphold the religious laws to a tee, regardless of whether they hurt others.
Each member of the ensemble cast partakes in creating a blend of comedy and thought-provoking politics. Alush’s simultaneous piety and slippery affect make him an uncomfortable rabbi, and Naor’s evolving character is delightful to watch. But it is Hagoel who really shines in this film, strong and exasperated in the true air of a woman with a mission. She effortlessly carries the film.
Whether it’s grappling with religious politics or women’s rights, “The Women’s Balcony” has much going for it. This film is in the lineup for this year’s Jewish Film Festival, and it is one you won’t want to miss.
MAY SPECIAL EVENTS
Jewish Film Festival
May 18-25
Schedule at www.hbgjff.com
TED 2017
Opening Event: Monday, May 1, 7 p.m.
Prize Event: Wednesday, May 3, 7 p.m.
Highlights Exclusive: Sunday, May 7, 7 p.m.
Faulkner Honda Family Film Series
“Charlotte’s Web” (1973)
Saturday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.
(Children 12 and under get in for free when accompanied by an adult)
Dance on Screen
“A Hero of Our Time”
Sunday, May 7, 5 p.m.
Hitchcock Collection
“North by Northwest” (1959)
Friday, May 12, 7:30 p.m.
“Psycho” (1960)
Saturday, May 13, 2 p.m.
Sunday, May 14, 7:30 p.m.
“Rear Window” (1954)
Saturday, May 13, 7:30 p.m.
Down in Front!
“Carnival of Souls” (1962)
Friday, May 12, 9:30 p.m.
3rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“Star Trek” (2009)
Friday, May 19, 9:30 p.m.
19th Annual Moviate Underground Film Festival
“Crispin Glover’s Big Slide Show”
Part Two: Friday, May 26, 7 p.m.
Part One: Saturday, May 27, 7 p.m.
Author: Sammi Leigh Melville
