Ha-Sodot (2007)

Ha-Sodot: Directed by Avi Nesher. With Fanny Ardant, Ania Bukstein, Michal Shtamler, Adir Miller. Two brilliant young women discover their own voices in a repressive orthodox culture where females are forbidden to sing, let alone speak out.

“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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe plot is multifaceted and contains multiple layers and questions. Indeed, it is far more ambitious in the tale it weaves than most.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA 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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe 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 filmu0026#39;s brew.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOne 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 (u0026quot;The Bubbleu0026quot;) did this exceptionally well, as does this film…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis 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.”