This mythic love story set in a timeless, lavishly colorful and mystical Jerusalem incorporates hard rock, striking set design, computer-generated imagery and modern-day tensions between the secular and the Orthodox worlds. Hanan, a handsome young traveler - who has pierced ears and wears grungy flannel shirts - falls in love with Lea, the beautiful daughter of a leader in the religious community. Unbeknownst to the couple, a deal was struck, years earlier, in which they were promised to each other by their fathers. When Hanan consults with a master of Kabbala, a set of mysteriously forbidden eleventh-century texts unleashes untold powers, merging the erotic with the divine and affirming love's infinite potential to transcend all obstacles. The lovers are played by Yehezkel Lazarov (Waltz with Bashir) and Ayelet Z'urer (Angels & Demons; Vantage Point). (from sfjff.org)
Production
Lavish Jerusalem sets that look like a prog-rock album cover
Costume
Flannel shirts vs. Orthodox black—visual culture clash perfection
Direction
Zomer commits fully to the bit, no matter how wild
Director
Yossi Zomer
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This is a loose remake of the 1937 Yiddish classic 'The Dybbuk,' but swaps shtetl gloom for 90s Israeli rock aesthetic. The original is considered the greatest Yiddish film ever made.
Ayelet Zurer would later play Vittoria Vetra in 'Angels & Demons'—apparently 'woman caught between ancient religious power and modern man' is her entire brand.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
IL
