🎬Ha-Sodot / The Secrets

Naomi (Ania Bukstein), the brilliant and devout daughter of a prominent ultra-Orthodox rabbi, postpones her arranged marriage following her mother's death to study at a women's seminary in Safed, the historical center of Jewish Kabbalah mysticism. Independent and passionate about Torah study, Naomi aspires to break patriarchal boundaries in Orthodox scholarship

At the seminary, Naomi is paired with Michelle (Michal Shtamler), a rebellious, free-spirited student sent from France by her family. While performing charitable house calls, the two women meet Anouk (Fanny Ardant), an enigmatic, terminally ill Frenchwoman seeking spiritual redemption for past sins. Drawn together, Naomi and Michelle delve into forbidden Kabbalistic purification rituals to help Anouk. Through their secretive spiritual partnership, Naomi and Michelle uncover a deep romantic attraction, forcing them to navigate the tension between religious devotion, personal desire, and community expectations.

💡 Did you know?
Co-Written with Playwright Hadar Galron: Avi Nesher collaborated closely with Orthodox feminist playwright Hadar Galron (Mikveh), ensuring an authentic insider perspective on Orthodox female seminaries and religious rituals.

French Screen Legend: French cinema icon Fanny Ardant stars as Anouk, marking one of her rare appearances in an Israeli feature production.

Groundbreaking Israeli Queer Entry: Celebrated on the global film festival circuit (including TIFF) as one of the earliest mainstream Israeli films to explicitly explore WLW romance and female agency within the Haredi / Ultra-Orthodox world.

⭐ Film Evaluation & Ratings 📈
⭐ Global Critical Consensus: 7.1 / 10 (78% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes / 6.9 IMDb / Israeli Academy Nominations)

Highly commended for its nuanced characterizations, atmospheric score by Daniel Salomon, and lead performances by Ania Bukstein and Michal Shtamler.

🎨 Narrative & Visual Craft: 7.8 / 10

Blends mystical Kabbalistic themes with lush, sunlit visuals of Safed and intense emotional character dynamics.

📝 Portal Recommendation:

An essential cornerstone entry for Israeli Queer Cinema Archives, WLW Religious Dramas, and Avi Nesher Retrospectives. Pairs naturally with titles like Disobedience (2017), Eyes Wide Open (2009), or Water Lilies (2007).