THE SECRETS/ HA-SODOT
Israel, 2008, 127 minutes, Colour.
Ania Bukstein, Michal, Shtamler, Fanny Ardant.
Directed by Avi Nesher.
The Secrets is a striking Israeli film, rather surprising for the outside world in its themes and treatment.
The film is particularly feminist in its perspective, focusing on and the role of women in Israel and in orthodox communities, their subservience to the men, the presumption of the men and their expectations of their wives. In this film, the young woman wants to study at a yeshiva, preferring this to an expected engagement. She goes to study with her rabbi father’s consent.
At the yeshiva, she is very comfortable in her studies, memorising texts, proposing amendments for interpretation of texts. She also meets a young woman, very different from herself, coming from a family in France. The young woman is able to soften the harsher attitudes of the very orthodox woman. This happens when they have the task of visiting a former prisoner and bringing her food. She has served 15 years in a prison in France and has been sent to Israel, ill and dying. The two girls become friendly with her, and this friendship having an effect, especially for the more strict girl. They suggest a number of rituals so that the prisoner can make a confession of her guilt, re-examine her life, prepare for death and her meeting with God. The woman is played with great dignity and presence by Fanny Ardant.
The other theme is the relationship between the two young women, especially for the stricter. She becomes very fond of the girl from France, becoming more affectionate, more relaxed, until one night they spend the night together. This has a profound effect with the young woman discovering her emotions and lesbian orientation. The other girl his not sure, accepts a proposal of marriage, which brings the tension and their relationship to a head as well as affecting some kind of reconciliation during the wedding ceremony.
The film raises serious themes in any context, but more so within this Israeli context.
1. The Israeli film industry? The work of the director? Treatment of this topic? For Israeli audiences? Outside Israel?
2. The religious themes, the stances and perspectives, the orthodox, extreme orthodox, ordinary religious Jewish people? Interpretation of Torah, Talmud? The range of rules and practices? The memorising texts, text analysis, amendments? Obeying the texts? Exceptions? The control of this religious mentality? The critique?
3. Naomi, her mother’s death, in mourning, her relationship with her father, the rabbi, the questions? Her engagement to Michael? The prospects for her future?
4. The role of men in this religious community, the work of the rabbi, the wife being submissive, not studying? Naomi and her hopes? Expectations of marriage with Michael? His expressing his views, very traditional? His expectations? The yeshiva and the rabbis? The rabbis as, literally, untouchable?
5. Naomi, getting the consent to go to the yeshiva? On the bus, the fat girl who came to the yeshiva? The singers and Naomi quoting regulations to them? Her arrival, her room, Singa and her joining them? The arrival of Michelle, from France, smoking, the cold air, the windows? The potential for clash? With the other two girls?
6. The lessons, the woman in charge? The young woman and her engagement and joy? The girls on the street, singing, running, going to the cemetery? The various jobs? The formality of the Yeshiva?
7. Their being asked to visit Anouk, Fanny Ardant in the role? The background her story, relationships, the quarrel, the death of her lover, her family reaction, in prison, 15 years, transported to Israel, the illness, her needing food, her loneliness, the portrait of a sad woman?
8. Naomi and Michelle, going to visit, Michel relaxed, Naomi changing, the bond, studying together? Bringing food to Anouk, talking, sharing? The two girls and their families? Michelle and the French? Naomi and her religious family?
9. The effect of the visit on Anouk, the changes in the two, a moody and her story, her wanting to repent, Naomi suggesting the various rituals, as a confession, the going to the bath, naked? The further rituals? Prayers?
10. Naomi, her amendments, rituals, the keeping of secrets, the participation, Anouk and her getting better?
11. Michelle away for the holiday, the return, Naomi and her return? The strength of the bond, sharing with each other, the night together, the aftermath, the effect on Michelle, her decision, Naomi and the deeper feelings, Michelle deciding to marry? Naomi hurt?
12. Anouk, imagining the visit of her son, her death, attending the funeral?
13. The young man in the shop, musician, friendly, the friendship with Michelle, asking her to marry him?
14. Naomi, breaking of the relationship with Michael? His severe reaction? Her father? Her future? Study, relationships?
15. The young man and his visit to Naomi, inviting her to the wedding, her hitting him?
16. , Visiting the school and the discussion with the teacher, her urging her to stand up for women’s rights?
17. At the wedding, the joy of the ceremony, the consent, Michelle seeing Naomi? Sad, ultimately her dancing? The bond between the two?
18. An Israeli film probing love, lesbian relationships, orthodox religion, and these themes within that context?
