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By turns quirky and fresh, this humorous short about female empowerment in the Hasidic community involves an errant fish bone, facial hair, and migrating spirits. After eating from the same fish that kills her rebbe when he chokes on a bone, Neshama (which means soul), suddenly becomes possessed by her deceased rebbe. The Holy Woman traces Neshama’s journey as her body and mind transform under supernatural influence, turning her life and her community’s status quo upside down. This magical-realist, Yiddish-language dark comedy explores the nature of the soul, the boundaries of identity and how the two fit together. Captivating to watch from start to finish, the film is driven by a commitment to represent the Hasidic community with affection and dignity as well as fastidious attention to detail and accuracy.
Accompanying the film premiere is a discussion with director Emily Cheeger, actress Melissa Weisz, actor Luzer Twersky, and moderator Rabbi Efrat Zarren Zohar. To view the conversation please click here.
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The Miami Jewish Film Festival virtual program is made possible with the generous support of Benjamin Nahum and Tamar Roodner.
- Year2020
- Runtime21 minutes
- LanguageYiddish
- CountryUnited States
- PremiereFlorida Premiere
- DirectorEmily Cheeger
- ScreenwriterEmily Cheeger
- CastMelissa Weisz, Malky Goldman, Luzer Twersky, Menashe Lustig
- CinematographerAlfonso Jaramillo Gómez
- MusicMiriam Mayer
We would appreciate your support if you would like to donate to our efforts and help cover our streaming costs. Please consider donating when "Unlocking" the film or by clicking here.
By turns quirky and fresh, this humorous short about female empowerment in the Hasidic community involves an errant fish bone, facial hair, and migrating spirits. After eating from the same fish that kills her rebbe when he chokes on a bone, Neshama (which means soul), suddenly becomes possessed by her deceased rebbe. The Holy Woman traces Neshama’s journey as her body and mind transform under supernatural influence, turning her life and her community’s status quo upside down. This magical-realist, Yiddish-language dark comedy explores the nature of the soul, the boundaries of identity and how the two fit together. Captivating to watch from start to finish, the film is driven by a commitment to represent the Hasidic community with affection and dignity as well as fastidious attention to detail and accuracy.
Accompanying the film premiere is a discussion with director Emily Cheeger, actress Melissa Weisz, actor Luzer Twersky, and moderator Rabbi Efrat Zarren Zohar. To view the conversation please click here.
────────────────────
The Miami Jewish Film Festival virtual program is made possible with the generous support of Benjamin Nahum and Tamar Roodner.
- Year2020
- Runtime21 minutes
- LanguageYiddish
- CountryUnited States
- PremiereFlorida Premiere
- DirectorEmily Cheeger
- ScreenwriterEmily Cheeger
- CastMelissa Weisz, Malky Goldman, Luzer Twersky, Menashe Lustig
- CinematographerAlfonso Jaramillo Gómez
- MusicMiriam Mayer