The Secrets will be shown at the College

03.03.2009

LONGMEADOW, Mass.—The Secrets, a film about the complexities of a religious lifestyle within the context of youth, rebellion, and desire, will be shown at Bay Path College on Wednesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall on the Longmeadow Campus. Please note that food and drink are prohibited in Mills Theatre. Co-sponsored by Kaleidoscope: Perspectives on Culture, Life and Learning, the Pioneer Valley Jewish Film/Arts Festival, and the Anna P. Housen Israel Desk, the event will also feature a post-showing discussion with Rabbi Micah Becker-Klein and Lisa M. Ruch, PhD. Neighbors, families and friends are invited to join the Bay Path College community for this free, public viewing.

In The Secrets, Naomi postpones marriage to her ultra-orthodox rabbi father’s prodigy to study at a Jewish seminary for women in the ancient Kabalistic seat of Safed following her mother's death. Exceptionally well-schooled in Jewish law, she is the pride and joy of her father. Her quest for individuality takes a defiant turn when she befriends Michelle, a free-spirited, but headstrong fellow student. Their unlikely alliance is jeopardized by a mysterious older woman named Anouk, a terminally ill tortured soul shunned by the community for her crime of passion. The movie becomes an intriguing, occasionally discordant hybrid of austere Israeli and voluptuous French filmmaking. Together, the two young women, attempt to purge Anouk’s sins through a series of secret rituals.

Produced by Notting Hill Films and directed by Avi Nesher, The Secrets stars Fanny Ardant, Ania Bokstein, Michal Shtamler, and Adir Miller. The film was nominated for eight Awards of the Israeli Film Academy including: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Art Direction, Best Costumes, Best Editing, Best Music, and Best Sound. This film is not yet rated (PVJF/AF recommends a rating of R) and is 127 minutes in length.

No registration is required for this event, and walk-ins are welcome. Mills Theatre seats 300, and seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more event information, contact Briana Sitler at 413.565.1066 or 800.782.7284 ext. 1066 or bsitler@baypath.edu.