The Austin Jewish Film Festival, in partnership with the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival is proud to present: THE SECRETS
Screening: Tuesday, January 27, 7pm, Texas Hillel, UT Campus, 2105 San Antonio Street
Director: Avi Nasher
Release Date: 2007
Runtime: 120 minutes
Genre: Drama
Country: Israel
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles
Rated: Rated R for some nudity, sexuality and brief language.
Synopsis:
In The Secrets, two brilliant young women discover their own voices in a repressive orthodox culture where females are forbidden to sing, let alone speak out.
Naomi, the studious, devoutly religious daughter of a prominent rabbi, convinces her father to postpone her marriage for a year so that she might study at a Jewish seminary for women in the ancient Kabalistic seat of Safed. Naomi’s quest for individuality takes a defiant turn when she befriends Michelle, a free-spirited and equally headstrong fellow student.
When the pair encounters a mysterious, ailing foreigner with a disturbing past named Anouk (the iconic French actress Fanny Ardant) they begin a risky journey into forbidden realms. In the hopes of easing her suffering, Naomi and Michelle secretly lead Anouk through a series of Kabalistic cleansing rituals. The process opens up overwhelming new horizons for the girls who find themselves caught between the rigid male establishment they grew up in, and the desire to be true to themselves, no matter the cost.
