Little Jerusalem
La Petite Jérusalem
Director: Karin ALBOU
Winner – French Critics’ Syndicate 2005 – Best First French Film
Religion, philosophy and sexual awakening all vie for the heart and mind of a smart, serious teenage girl in this terrific (and controversial) debut feature from writer-director Karin Albou.
Set in the suburban Paris neighbourhood of Sarcelles, known as ‘Little Jerusalem’ due to its large Jewish population, the film takes us headlong into the life of 18-year-old student Laura (Fanny Valette) as she tries to reconcile all the conflicting influences and feelings to which study and experience have introduced her. Living with her extended family - which includes widowed mother (Sonia Tahar), sister (Elsa Zylberstein) and brother-in-law (Bruno Todeschini) - means she’s unable to escape her Orthodox upbringing, although her own immersion in Western philosophy has helped her form a strong personal view of the world. Though keen to avoid romance, Laura falls in love with a Muslim man, and must choose between following the tenets of her faith, or her own desires.
Building towards a powerful emotional standoff, and never shying away from explicit sexuality or the rising tide of modern anti-Semitism in France, Little Jerusalem is an unexpectedly searing film, possessing a spare beauty that is startlingly lovely.
France 2005 - Drama (96 mins)
In French with English Subtitles
Director: Karin AlbouScript: Karin Albou