Trembling Before G-D
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Movie Reviews of Trembling Before G-D
Movie Review: Putting faces to a verse
Summary: 5 Stars
This moving documentary really merits being seen by everyone, no matter what their religion or sexual orientation. While the issue of being both gay and Jewish doesn't seem like a conflict to those in the liberal denominations, it's a much more complex and anguished issue for those who wish to remain true to both parts of their core identity, living a frum life and being gay. It seems like a dire contradiction in terms to devote your life to a religious tradition that essentially denies who you are, but for the brave individuals who agreed to appear in this film (some of them with false names or appearing in silhouette or with blurred faces), being Orthodox and still gay isn't a contradiction at all.
For too many people, the issue of Judaism and homosexuality is a cut and dried prohibition, one verse in Leviticus. They don't have any real-life experience with it, or think it doesn't exist in their ultra-frum communities. But this documentary puts faces to that one verse, shows the people who are in very real pain and conflict over this. It's easy to condemn or dismiss something when it only exists in theory, something you've read about, not something you suddenly find yourself dealing with in your own family or community. People like Leah, Malka, Michelle, David, Israel, Mark, and Devorah are real people who have been living this double identity for years, struggling to come to terms with their orientation and how to still be frum in spite of it. I think it's quite refreshing how the rabbis who appear in this film, though some of them are quite Orthodox, are speaking from personal experience in dealing with gay people. While the Orthodox hold to the belief that the Torah is 100% the literal word of Hashem, these rabbis are flexible and compassionate enough, within that very conservative framework, to reinterpret the verse to find some sort of realistic solution to this problem. Many people are killing themselves or suffering from depression because there is no support network for frum gays; it's completely unfair to compare not following this one particular mitzvah to deciding to also ignore mitzvot such as kashrut and keeping Shabbos. Halacha is really not set in stone, and an alternative answer can always be found even with an Orthodox approach to reading the text. It's also surprising how some of these long-bearded rabbis are more progressive and understanding than some secular people.
It's unfathomable that anyone, after seeing this film and getting to know these people, could still insist that homosexuality is wrong because it's in the Torah, and that settles that issue. Anyone with a heart would see the pain and frustration in people like Israel, desperate to reunite with his 98 year old dad; Devorah, who is married to a man in spite of being a lesbian; and Mark, who misses the yeshiva world even though he was estranged from it after coming out. One's heart goes out to these people who either have to live double lives or live as openly gay in a world where early heterosexual marriage and large families are considered not only the norm, but the only way to live. Hopefully some halachic solutions will be found for this issue sooner than later, so that the next generation of people like Malka, Michelle, David, and Israel won't have to struggle with being frum gays.
The second disc contains a wealth of extras that really enhance the documentary. Among them are an interview with Rabbi Steve Greenberg (whom I was honored to meet when he spoke at my [Conservative] shul in December '06), an interview with director Sandi Simcha Dubowski, a featurette, 'Trembling on the Road,' the trailer, interviews with five of the prominent rabbis featured in the documentary (and while they're quite Orthodox, they also seem compassionate and open-minded, wanting to find a halachic solution to this issue instead of just telling gay people to live celibate lives or pretend to be straight), a deleted scene, a discussion with people involved in Petach Lev, an Israeli group dealing with these issues, footage of an arcane Medieval ceremony to atone for "sexual sins," and so much more.
Movie Review: Agree or Disagree A Must See By Questioning Believers
Summary: 5 Stars
Trembling before G-d is simply an excellant movie that needs to be scene. It is too easy for many to simply blindly respond to the issue quoting the Torah/Hashem/G-d/Rabbis/Scripture etc. with such and such and such and such about homosexuals when you have not known any up close and the suffering they experience by the attitudes of the religious majority. Most people who condemn homosexuality have never met any homosexuals yet alone have tried to get to know them. I know I never did.
The accompanying disc of extra features is almost as compelling viewing as the movie itself so don't miss them.
You may not come away ready to throw out long held biblical beliefs but you will if you come with an open mind interested in grapling with the subject on a religious level leave with greater compassion and understanding, with many new questions and the willingness to search for and open yourself to possible answers.
Just see it!
Movie Review: Powerful!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I do believe this wonderful documentary has shaken the Jewish community, and I am glad. People in this world need to open their eyes to gays and lesbian and transgender individuals that are not just going go away silently in the night. Director Sandi Simcha DuBowski examines the hidden lives of gay and lesbian Orthodox and Hasidic Jews. His revelations are compelling and the DVD's extras -- including a separate interview with Steve Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi -- are even more fascinating.Movie Review: Can We Agree This World Is Not Flat?
Summary: 3 Stars
Trembling Before G-d is a sad story of gay and lesbian people who are the victims of the traditions in which they have been raised. The film gives us glimpses of gay and lesbian individuals, struggling to be accepted into a heterosexual world where traditional marriage and reproduction is considered the highest esteem, even though they know they are not ever going to share this same goal. While I was watching this film, I kept asking myself why are these people giving so much credibility to those holding so much ignornace? There once was a time many thought the world was flat, but we now know better! God is love and men and women, who are not inclined to reproduce, have been given a special gift and have much to teach others about ending the trouble with normal. While marriage, land ownership and reproduction are the three pillars of family values which fuel selfish traditions, around the world, gay people need look no further than inside themselves for an answer!
While this movie is primarily focussed on the struggle of Orthodox Jews, concerning the issue of homosexualty, the film is for anyone who has thought about acceptance, by others, in light of their sexuality. It's the type of film which makes you feel deeply for the hurt and struggle of the characters.
Movie Review: "Hear O Israel"
Summary: 4 Stars
"TREMBLING BEFORE G-D"
"Hear O Israel"
Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride
One of the outstanding and most meaningful documentaries I have ever seen, Sandi Dubowski's "Trembling Before G-d" (New Yorker Films) stands in a class all it's own. It is a provocative look into the lives of gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews who struggle to reconcile their sexual orientation with their firm and devout religious beliefs. The film sheds light on a group of people who were not eager to be photographed but felt that they had an important story to tell.
Orthodox Judaism has a strict code for homosexuals; in fact it prohibits their way of life. Those that are gay and lesbian are forced into living hidden lives and this is why we see so few faces in this film.; If they were to be found out, they would not only face ostracism but very certainly would be asked to leave their religion. Most of the people in the film are not willing to give up their strong religious beliefs and therefore choose to live a life of hiding and silence. Several of those that appear in the film do so in silhouette or with faces obscured. But there is also Mark, who is openly gay and the son of a rabbi who was shipped to Israel because his parents mistakenly believed that there are no gay men there. (Little did they know that Israel is rapidly becoming an oasis for freedom for gays in the area). We also meet Michelle (a divorced woman) who is firmly convinced that she is the only Hassidic lesbian in Brooklyn and "Leah" and "Malka", a lesbian couple who observant the Judaic laws and deal with non-supportive parents. David from Los Angeles, has been battling his inner demons as he wants to remain an observant Jew but cannot reconcile what the rabbis tell him with the way he is. For ten years he underwent various "cures" and instructions to attempt to subvert his attraction to his own sex. There is also Israel from Brooklyn who underwent shock therapy in the 50's and wants to reunite with his centenarian father whom he has not seen for more than two decades.
For over five years, Dubowski followed these people's lives traveling form America to Israel and back again in order to get the material he needed and wanted for his film. Because of the nature of the secrecy of those that participated in the film it was impossible to get a complete picture because in many cases the parents were unwilling to participate. But no matter, what we have is enormous and heartbreaking as well as uplifting. Even with the admonitions of the religion, the people we meet here continue to live religious lives.
"Trembling" is an extraordinary documentation of what we know so little about. The Bible, according to one of the interviewees is abundantly clear on the matter and it is quoted as "They shall be put to death". It hurts so much to see the people longing for acceptance and not finding it and yet maintaining and continuing their religious way of life. What is especially interesting is that specificities about religion and sexual orientation disappear into the larger universal theme of family and acceptance. The subjects want their religion but they also want to find a place where their religion will accept the way they live.
We learn from the film that Orthodoxy is dogma that requires the banning of homosexuals at best and physical reeducation at worst. The dilemma of Orthodox life and the refusal to deny one's sexuality and the fear of expulsion if discovered is the overriding motif of the film. I cannot imagine having to live a life like this--living n fear of discovery and dreading the results. "Trembling" beautifully captures this crisis. Instead of an out and out indictment against Orthodoxy, the director allows both sides to have their say and their some moments that we see that are heartbreaking.
But there is optimism. Openly gay Orthodox rabbi, Steve Greenberg argues that religion is an adaptable institution and he feels that this too will happen with time. Judaism is a religion that is responsive to the human condition and if it does not respond then it is not the same religion of which the Torah (the Pentateuch) writes. But time is passing and we see no changes. We can only hope.