Where Life Begins

Wednesday, August 2, 11am; Hart Theater

Narrative | 2022 | 100 min.
Italian, French (w/ subtitles) | Italy
Director: Stephane Freiss

Every summer, an ultra-Orthodox French family comes to an idyllic farm in Calabria, Italy for a brief stay to carry out a sacred mission: harvesting etrogim (the citrons used in Sukkot services). Here Elio, a farmer whose wife left him, meets Esther, the rabbi’s daughter who is tired of the constraints imposed by her religion. Through this relationship, Esther will explore her freedom to find her path, and Elio will find the peace he has lost. An impressive directorial debut from French film star Stephanie Friess.

Audience Award for Best Narrative, 2022 Jewish International Film Festival Australia; Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature, 2022 Anchorage International Film Festival

Mature content