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KADOSH Send This Review to a Friend
Anyone with a concern for the plight of subjugated women should find "Kadosh," the searing drama from Israel directed by Amos Gitai, a must. Focusing on Orthodox Jewish life in Mea Shearim, a devout section of Jerusalem, "Kadosh," which means sacred, tells the story of two sisters who suffer under the strict rules pertaining to women in that society. Unless one accepts such regulations and attitudes, one will recoil at their effect.
Yael Abecassis plays Rivka, who as the wife of devoted scholar Meir (Yoram Hattab), bears no children in their marriage. The typical male attitude in that community is that it is her fault. Meir wouldn't dream of being tested to see whether his sperm was lacking. The resolution for a barren marriage, according to the decision of their rabbi, is having the marriage contract voided so the husband can take another wife to serve as the necessary uterus. The reproductive line must be continued. Even though Meir loves Rivka, under the rabbi's unyielding orders, Rivka must be told to pack up and get out, which understandably propels her into a depression.
Meital Barda as Rivka's younger sister Malka is pressed into marrying a man with whom she is not in love. Her preference is another young man, but he has chosen to lead a secular life and is therefore out of bounds. However, she has a rebellious spirit, now compounded by the tragedy that has befallen her sister. How will she deal with her life? Yael Abecassis and Meital Barda are superb and thoroughly convincing in their roles.
Apart from the development of the story in the script co-written by Gitai, Eliette Abecassis and Jacky Cukier, the film is rich in detail of life in the family and the community, including the ritual bathing and parental obligations. It compels one to think of all fundamentalist attitudes toward women, whatever the religion, and it is easy to see how such a film would incur the wrath of those committed to the status quo. "Kadosh" emerges as an impassioned plea for the rights of women. A Kino International release.
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