''The Secrets'' ( he, הסודות) is a 2007 Israeli

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

directed by

Avi Nesher Avi Nesher ( Hebrew: אבי נשר; born 13 December 1952) is an Israeli film producer, film director, screenwriter and actor. Biography Avi Nesher was born and raised in Ramat Gan, Israel. The child of a Romanian-born diplomat, and a mother w ...

Synopsis

Noemi is a young devoted Jewish girl who has just lost her mother and who is close to celebrate a marriage imposed by her father. Maybe as a result of the recent lost or maybe because of her interest in the Scriptures, but also because of her lack of feelings towards the future husband (with whom she does not even like to spend time in the same room), the young girl asks her father for the possibility to keep studying the Torah by following a girl's seminary. Arrived at Safed college, she immediately makes friend with the other students except for the rebellious Michelle, who seems to lack every interest in studying. Yet, the seminary students are assigned the task of helping the city's needy people as part of their spiritual formation and Noemi and Michelle are told to work together. The two of them are sent to take care of old Mrs Anouk, an old lady suffering from cancer and heart problems who, in the past, has betrayed her husband and committed pre-intentional murder. For her, who is close to death, there seems to be no way to escape the harsh divine Judgment, until Noemi and Michelle (who have in the meanwhile become very close friends, to the point of engaging in sexual intercourse) find the right methods to cleanse her from her sins through the holy Scriptures. But as they have broken the same Laws not giving a chance to Mrs Anouk (who in the meanwhile has died of heart attack in a hospital, comforted by the two girls), Noemi and Michelle are both expelled from the school. Concerning sexual intercourse between two women, Noemi convinces Michelle that there's nothing sinful about them as the Torah only forbids (or at least she thinks so) homosexual relationships involving two men. At the same time, Michelle is openly courted by a young pharmacist and musician, Yanki, who goes as far as asking her to get married. She agrees causing Noemi to go mad, as she had previously asked her to go live together. A few days later, Yanki shows up at Noemi's new home in order to invite her to the wedding, telling her it would be important for Michelle as she loves her even more than she loves him. As an answer, the girl, enraged by jealousy, throws a jar at him, slightly hurting his cheek, and asks him to leave her alone. The wedding is celebrated, Noemi being there, the wound still visible on the groom's cheek. The two girls make peace and dance together: their love story is over, but their friendship is not.

Cast

Ania Bukstein Ania Bukstein ( he, אניה בוקשטיין; russian: link=no, Аня Букштейн, ''Anya Bukshteyn''; born 7 June 1982) is an Israeli actress, singer and pianist, performing in Hebrew, Russian, French and English. Early life Bukstein was ...

as Noemi * as Michelle *

Fanny Ardant Fanny Marguerite Judith Ardant (born 22 March 1949) is a French actress and film director. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two César Awards and a Lumières Award. Early life Ardant was born in Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, Fr ...

as Anouk *

Adir Miller Adir Miller ( he, אדיר מילר, born ) is an Israeli actor, screenwriter, and comedian. He is well known for his dry humor and his split second improvisation skills. Early life Miller was born in Holon, Israel, to Jewish parents who were Hol ...

as Yanki * as Michael *

Alma Zack Alma Zack ( he, עלמה זק, born 21 November 1970) is an Israeli actress. Biography Zack was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1970 and grew up in Ramat Aviv. Her father is pianist Yonatan Zack and her mother is Adi Etzion, an actress and singer. ...

as Racheli *

Dana Ivgy Dana Ivgy ( he, דאנה איבגי; born April 3, 1982) is an Israeli actress and the daughter of actor Moshe Ivgy. Career As a child, Ivgy appeared in several television and film productions. Since graduating from acting school she has appeared ...

as Sigi *

Sefi Rivlin Sefi Rivlin ( he, ספי ריבלין; November 7, 1947 – December 3, 2013) was an Israeli actor and comedian. He was best known for his roles in the satire show ''Nikui Rosh'' ("Clear Your Head"), the children’s program ''Rega im Dodley'' (" ...

as Rabbi Hess *

Rivka Michaeli Rivka Michaeli ( he, רבקה מיכאלי; born 14 April 1938) is an Israeli actress, comedian, television hostess, and entertainer. Early life Michaeli was born in Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine, British Mandate of Palestine (now Israel). Her f ...

as Mrs. Meizlish

Reception

It was nominated for Outstanding Film – Limited Release at the

21st GLAAD Media Awards The 21st GLAAD Media Awards was the 2010 annual presentation of the media awards presented by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The awards seek to honor films, television shows, musicians and works of journalism that fairly and accur ...

. The movie was featured on

Autostraddle Autostraddle is an independently owned online magazine and social network for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women ( cis and trans), as well as non-binary people and trans people of all genders. The website is a "politically progressive queer femin ...

as one of "8 Pretty Great Lesbian Movies You Haven’t Seen Yet."

References

External links

* * Films directed by Avi Nesher Israeli LGBT-related films Lesbian-related films 2007 drama films Israeli drama films 2007 LGBT-related films 2007 films Films about Orthodox and Hasidic Jews Films about LGBT and Judaism {{Israel-film-stub

Synopsis

Cast

Reception

See also

References

External links