Homosexuality in the Orthodox community is the subject of a very dark and disturbing Israeli film, Eyes Wide Open which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.Aaron Fleishman is a father of 4 who takes over the family kosher butcher shop following the death of his father. Aarons observant world is turned upside down with the arrival of a young Yeshiva student Ezri.
When Aaron and Ezri begin spending time together, Aaron is quickly ostracized within the Orthodox community. Confronted by Rabbi Vaisben, Aaron declares he was dead before meeting Ezri. We see how quickly social control turns violent and ugly in the Orthodox community when Ezri is forced to leave.
Eyes Wide Open is set during a dark and wet winter in Jerusalem. Rain and the darkness of night are used as metaphors for the ritual of cleansing and the omnipresent pressure to conform in the Orthodox community. It has a strong cast and delivers a powerful message in a country divided by debates about the growing influence of the Orthodox Jewish community.
No persons under 16 (Sex, Nudity)
90 minutes
Press and viewer ratings, etc.
| Cast | Zohar Shtrauss, Ran Danker, Tinkerbell, Tzahi Grad, Isaac Sharry, Avi Grainik |
| Director | Haim Tabakman |
| Formats |  |
| SA Distributor | Nu Metro |