Movie- The Secrets

The Secrets (2007) is an Israeli film the presents a very un-orthodox set of views. It is about Naomi, from an orthodox family, who has sat at her father's side learning the holy books. It is commonly acknowledged that if she were a man, she would be a highly regarded Talmud scholar. But being a woman, in her society, it means she needs to find a husband, keep her views to herself, and have lots of children. Naomi in very unhappily engaged, and puts that on hold to go to an all women's seminary in Safed.

Here she meets other young women,some of whom are truly spiritual, and some of whom are merely put into the seminary to keep them out of trouble. And she develops a friendship with one girl in particular, Michelle, a rebellious girl who wants to live her life outside of the proscribed box.

They are sent to provide charity to an ill French woman, and decide to try to help this dying woman find spiritual peace. But doing so, they study Kabbala, and that is strictly forbidden. But they feel there is a higher calling than the laws given to them by man. Naomi finds justification for her actions in the holy books, and the two proceed to heal this ill woman, so she can dye in peace with God.

So already there are many aspects that go against traditional orthodox thinking. But the film even goes one farther, developing the relationship between Naomi and Michelle, into one of intimacy and love. But Michelle is less a rebel than she thinks, and Naomi, who again finds justification for her actions in the holy words, is more of a rebel than anyone believes.

This film is very well done...thoughtful and artistic, it is about freedom and love, about God and man. It is a notch below some production standards of mainstream American films, but the storyline and the acting more than make up for it. The actresses that play Naomi and MIchelle (Ania Bukstein and Michal Shtamler) are excellent as is most of the supporting cast. The Secrets is a very good movie.