Little Jerusalem (film)
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Little Jerusalem (La Petite Jérusalem) is a 2005 film directed by Karin Albou. The film saw a limited release in the United States on January 27, 2006. Albou's film depicts how the conflict between the rational and the irrational drives the relationships within a Jewish family living in the outskirts of Paris.
Laura, played by Fanny Valette, is a philosophy student who has put Kantian reasoning above all emotions, including love. In the film, Laura's interaction with Djamel, a coworker played by Hédi Tillette de Clermont-Tonerre, exposes how Laura struggles to live by her rationalist principles as she succumbs into passionate moments with Djamel. However, as Laura admits to feeling affection for Djamel, she is despaired as she learns that they cannot have a life on their own because Djamel cannot afford to confront his family. Western philosophy has also made Laura very skeptical of the teachings of the Torah, undermining her relationships with her family, which is headed by her devout brother in-law Ariel (Bruno Todeschini).
Ariel's troubled marital relationship reinforces the film's theme of conflict. Mathilde (Elsa Zylberstein), Ariel's wife, is a woman that strictly abides by the traditions of the Torah, and believes sexual pleasure is forbidden. Ariel also believes this teaching to be true, and has an extramarital affair, for he does not dare to encumber his wife's modesty. Mathilde, however, seeks advice from a friend's wife, who corrects Mathilde and reassures her that she is expected to enjoy sexual pleasures with her husband by Jewish Law, as long as such acts do not climax. As the film progresses, Mathilde gains more comfort, and the happiness in her marriage is revindicated.
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