Devoutly religious Ruth returns from Israel to care for her dying mother, but when she tries to bring her estranged brother David back into the fold, in accordance with her mother's wishes, the result is a startling journey into the darkest realms of sexual obsession: a forbidden game under the guise of religious law. Dark, ambiguous and distinctly adult, this study of belief and desire, set in the cloistered world of London's Orthodox Jewish community, thoughtfully explores the links between faith and violence, denial and longing.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00Who is your father?
00:00:30Who is your father?
00:01:00Who is your father?
00:01:10Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
00:01:18I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold all is vanity, and a striving after wind.
00:01:29And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly.
00:01:37I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
00:01:43For in much wisdom is much vexation.
00:01:51He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
00:01:57So I hated life.
00:02:07So I hated life.
00:02:15Because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me.
00:02:21For all is vanity, and a striving after wind.
00:02:25For all is vanity, and a striving after wind.
00:02:35And a striving after wind.
00:02:45I don't suppose there was much chance to meet any young men at the seminary.
00:02:55But what happened to me?
00:02:59So I got to go.
00:03:01But what happened to you.
00:03:03I think I got to go.
00:03:05to that nice, the seagull's boy, what was his name? Gideon. He's married. He always
00:03:12liked you, I think. He's married, Mum. Well.
00:03:35At least we can be brought together as a family now.
00:04:03He's married. He's married. He's married. He's married.
00:04:13He's married. He's married. He's married.
00:04:19None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him to uncover their nakedness.
00:04:24I am the Lord. The nakedness of thy father and the nakedness of thy mother shalt thou not
00:04:29uncover. She is their mother. Thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. The nakedness of thy
00:04:35father's wife shalt thou not uncover. It is thy father's nakedness. The nakedness of thy
00:04:40sister, the daughter of thy father or the daughter of thy mother, whether born at home or born
00:04:44abroad, even their nakedness shalt thou not uncover. Defile not ye yourselves in any of
00:04:50these things, for in all these the nations are defiled, which I cast out from before you.
00:04:57And the land was defiled, therefore I did visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land
00:05:01vomited out her inhabitants. That the land vomit not you out also, when you defile it, as it
00:05:06vomited out the nation that was before you. I am the Lord your God.
00:05:11You are reading well.
00:05:12You are reading well.
00:05:41You are reading well.
00:05:42Did you hear I held Silverbounds giving a lecture next week? I suppose you have had your fill of
00:05:55study, but I hear it will be something pretty special. Actually we will not be able to make
00:06:00it that day. Are you sure a lot of your old chums will be there? Yes, it sounds very interesting.
00:06:05Actually we have been asked to the Levine's wedding. I hear it's going to be quite a do.
00:06:09you've been asked to Levine's wedding no but I'm sure it'll be a good marriage
00:06:15we thought you might like a strudel from Bella's oh no from Strindberg's great strudel a little
00:06:38less kosher well I'm sure you'll find someone more deserving than me so Ruth Israel we have a real
00:06:58scholar in our midst how was the Holy Land as mom always says we have to stay optimistic yes of
00:07:06course oh bye-bye good to see you Michael we were just on our way
00:07:13the Levine's wedding
00:07:19bye-bye thank you Ruth welcome back so Israel has been having quite an effect on you
00:07:34I've been trying to keep Mormont's foot and how are you
00:07:40sooner murder an infant in its cradle the nurse unacted desires
00:08:06I don't think mr. Blake is advising us to kill our kids so what can he mean he's trying to use a
00:08:18shock tactic right sir yes try yes very good he is using an image that's horrible that's excessive to
00:08:30wake us up sooner murder an infant what does he mean
00:08:40to live life honestly is not to follow other people's desires but follow our own now usually we would think
00:08:55that to follow our desires leads to weakness wouldn't we to immorality but Blake reminds us that our divinity springs from our desire our unique desire
00:09:12this is all very relevant to all of us in this room we are all outsiders in some
00:09:27so
00:09:45fine thanks sorry
00:09:46I have managed to make a visit most days.
00:10:14She is very brave, your mother.
00:10:18Yes, I know.
00:10:44I love you, my friend.
00:10:49I love you, my friend.
00:10:53I love you, my friend.
00:10:59I love you, my friend.
00:11:14I love you, my friend.
00:11:22Lord, I love you, man.
00:11:25I love you, my friend.
00:11:31I love you, my friend, you are living with you.
00:11:34I love you, my friend.
00:11:36I love you, my sister.
00:11:38I love you and my friend.
00:11:41The Iranian authorities have declared that they have a viable nuclear weapon
00:12:07after a successful designation in an underground desert test site on Wednesday.
00:12:12We have defense analyst Paul Hilda from the Center for Strategic Studies.
00:12:37Thank you very much.
00:14:32Dad would have wanted it, wouldn't he?
00:14:35Your father was a good man.
00:14:37You have to look after him.
00:14:46I know.
00:14:47He's special.
00:14:49I know, Mum.
00:14:51And your hand like that, oh.
00:14:57And your rage, too.
00:15:29I'm not going.
00:15:59David. I'm not going.
00:16:29So, Israel, did you find what you were looking for?
00:16:56I think so.
00:17:00Where now?
00:17:02Home.
00:17:03Yes.
00:17:04In.
00:17:09She's our mother.
00:17:14I'm not going.
00:17:16It's not that I don't want to. It's just that I think it will cause more problems than it's worth. For everyone.
00:17:23I'm not going.
00:17:33I turned away from all of that a long time ago.
00:17:43The community, the religion.
00:17:47I won't go back to that.
00:17:50She's all we've got left.
00:17:51You try so hard to be devoted with.
00:17:53You're a slave.
00:17:57You're a slave.
00:17:58You're a slave.
00:17:59You're a slave.
00:18:00You're a slave.
00:18:01You're a slave.
00:18:02You're a slave.
00:18:03You're a slave.
00:18:09You're a slave.
00:18:10You're a slave.
00:18:16You're a slave.
00:18:17You're a slave.
00:18:19You're a slave.
00:18:23I'm going to come up and beat your... I'm going to beat his arse.
00:18:26What?
00:18:27I'm going to come over there and beat your, I'm going to beat his arse, what?
00:18:45That's right, that's right, because I'm the hustler, hmm.
00:18:53Hmm.
00:18:57What a bloody damn second class. It's just full of fucking Nigerians.
00:19:01Oh, come on, Luke, they're not that bad.
00:19:04Right, right, yeah, well, today, today, yeah, I was sermonised on human rights
00:19:09by a guy who regularly tells the rest of his classmates
00:19:11that they're being corrupted from the one true Christian path
00:19:14by my immortal and democratic teachings.
00:19:17And this isn't a class on the use of the past participle, I mean, it's fucking incredible.
00:19:21He's just one Nigerian, Luke.
00:19:23I mean, come on, people come from really different cultures.
00:19:27Oh, God.
00:19:28And we can all really learn something from them.
00:19:32Can't we, David?
00:19:33Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. David's hardcore.
00:19:40Oi, oi, no, no, no, no, no, no, I've put the money down already.
00:19:44Yeah.
00:19:45Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
00:20:15I'm going to a lecture on Wednesday, Hendon. I thought you might want to come.
00:20:45I'm going to a lecture on Wednesday, Hendon. I'm going to a lecture on Wednesday, Hendon.
00:21:05I'm going to a lecture on Wednesday, Hendon.
00:21:23I'm going to a lecture on Wednesday, Hendon.
00:21:29I'll see you next time.
00:21:37I'll see you next time.
00:21:43I'm going to a lecture on Wednesday.
00:21:49I'll see you next time.
00:21:58Oh, that you are like my brother,
00:22:27who sucked the breast of my mother.
00:22:30If I found you outside, I would kiss you.
00:22:34Yes, and none would despise me.
00:22:39I would lead you,
00:22:42bringing you into my mother's house,
00:22:45where you would instruct me.
00:24:27I need to be a married woman.
00:24:28Give it a try.
00:24:29A nice wig.
00:24:32What about the other one?
00:24:33Go to the other shop.
00:24:38It's just not right.
00:24:40Look, we'll definitely find the right wig for your wedding.
00:24:44We'll go to the other one.
00:24:44Yeah.
00:24:45Go to the other one.
00:25:15Go to the other one.
00:25:45Go to the other one.
00:25:46Go to the other one.
00:25:53Do you ever think about when we were all together, Mum?
00:26:08You know, back when Dad was here and David was...
00:26:13No, darling.
00:26:15Never.
00:26:18Why think about those worthless things?
00:26:25Oh, Ruth.
00:26:34All you have to do...
00:26:38is keep Hashem in your mind.
00:26:44When I realised that everything was all right.
00:27:14Downing Street is expected to issue a statement in the next hour.
00:27:21This report...
00:27:24It is clearly quiet.
00:27:29It's an impossible to turn us or anyone else to approach the room.
00:27:35Ruth?
00:27:42Ruth.
00:27:43Must have been years.
00:27:45I heard you were in Jerusalem for good.
00:27:47Married.
00:27:48So who's the lucky man?
00:27:50It really suits you.
00:27:51No, it doesn't.
00:27:54So then we have the great sage known as Elisha Ben Abouya, who becomes known as Aher, meaning
00:28:11other.
00:28:13He hears a voice from heaven.
00:28:15Return, all ye wayward ones, except for Aher.
00:28:22Everyone can return.
00:28:23Everyone can repent except Aher.
00:28:27So, Aher goes on to break just about every law there is.
00:28:33According to some sources, he even kills.
00:28:36What then is the heresy of Aher?
00:28:42Well, it's to believe that he is different from the rest.
00:28:47That he's been singled out.
00:28:51His act of transgression...
00:28:55His acts of transgression are merely acts of narcissism.
00:29:01By breaking all the laws, he wants to prove that he is different.
00:29:07That he cannot change.
00:29:08He cannot get back to heaven.
00:29:11He wants to be special.
00:29:13And not to be guided by the same laws as everyone else.
00:29:17And that is why Aher loses heaven.
00:29:22Because he cannot conceive the sharing of it.
00:29:26If Aher was so worthless, why would Rabbi Meir have followed him?
00:29:34Even after Aher has turned his back on the law,
00:29:38the great Rabbi Meir goes and follows him.
00:29:42True, but...
00:29:43Why would Rabbi Meir even imagine that he could learn anything from Aher?
00:29:51Hmm?
00:29:53Nobody?
00:29:55Because a messiah is a transgressor.
00:30:01That's how it works.
00:30:04He brings devastation.
00:30:06He is the end of the law.
00:30:09True.
00:30:10But Rabbi Meir followed Aher only so far.
00:30:13Aher told him not to break the laws he himself had broken.
00:30:17Why?
00:30:19Because he couldn't bear the thought of anyone else being special.
00:30:23No.
00:30:25Because you have to deserve to cross the line.
00:30:28Excuse me, but...
00:30:29No, I will not excuse you.
00:30:32It is inexcusable.
00:30:35None of you listen to anything but each other.
00:30:40You might like to know there is a world outside exploding around you.
00:30:46Boom!
00:30:48Can't you hear it?
00:30:49Huh?
00:30:50Which one of you...
00:30:52Which one of you would die to make this world better, huh?
00:30:58Not one!
00:30:59Not get off me, Jew boy!
00:31:01Let's dance!
00:31:04Let's dance!
00:31:05Let's dance!
00:31:06Let's dance!
00:31:07Let's dance!
00:31:08Let's dance!
00:31:09Let's dance!
00:31:10Let's dance!
00:31:11Let's dance!
00:31:12Let's dance!
00:31:13Let's dance!
00:31:14Let's dance!
00:31:15Let's dance!
00:31:16Let's dance!
00:31:17Let's dance!
00:31:18Let's dance!
00:31:19Let's dance!
00:31:20Let's dance!
00:31:21Let's dance!
00:31:22Let's dance!
00:31:23Let's dance!
00:31:24Let's dance!
00:31:25Let's dance!
00:31:26Let's dance!
00:31:27Let's dance!
00:31:28Let's dance!
00:31:29Let's dance!
00:31:30And then we...
00:31:51David!
00:31:57David!
00:32:27David!
00:32:34David!
00:32:42David!
00:32:49David!
00:32:51David!
00:32:57David!
00:33:12David!
00:33:15David!
00:33:18David!
00:33:21David!
00:33:23David!
00:33:24David!
00:33:25David!
00:33:26David!
00:33:27David!
00:33:28David!
00:33:29David!
00:33:30David!
00:33:32David!
00:33:33David!
00:33:34David!
00:33:35David!
00:33:36David!
00:33:37David!
00:33:38David!
00:33:39David!
00:33:41David!
00:33:42David!
00:33:43David!
00:33:44David!
00:33:45David!
00:33:46David!
00:33:47David!
00:33:48David!
00:33:49David!
00:33:50David!
00:33:51David!
00:33:52David!
00:33:53David!
00:33:54David!
00:33:55David!
00:33:56David!
00:33:57David!
00:33:58David!
00:33:59David!
00:34:00David!
00:34:01David!
00:34:02David!
00:34:03David!
00:34:04David!
00:34:05David!
00:34:06David!
00:34:07David!
00:34:08David!
00:34:09David!
00:34:10David!
00:34:11David!
00:34:12David!
00:34:13David!
00:34:14David!
00:34:15David!
00:34:16David!
00:34:17David!
00:34:18David!
00:34:19David!
00:34:20David!
00:34:21David!
00:34:22David!
00:34:23David!
00:34:24David!
00:34:25David!
00:34:26David!
00:34:27David!
00:34:28David!
00:34:29David!
00:34:30David!
00:34:31David!
00:34:32David!
00:34:33David!
00:34:34David!
00:34:35David!
00:34:36David!
00:34:37David!
00:34:38David!
00:34:39David!
00:34:40David!
00:34:41David!
00:34:42David!
00:34:43David!
00:34:44David!
00:34:45David!
00:34:46Okay?
00:35:16Okay. Let's go.
00:35:25You know that's what destroyed Dad.
00:35:40I want to apply his little errors.
00:35:43That's why he went out that day.
00:35:50And now here we are.
00:35:56Another little errand.
00:35:59A little messiah.
00:36:10Do you think it's changed?
00:36:12What?
00:36:14Hendon.
00:36:16Hendon.
00:36:42Hendon.
00:36:44Hendon.
00:36:46Hendon.
00:36:48Hendon.
00:36:50Hendon.
00:36:52Hendon.
00:36:54Hendon.
00:36:56Hendon.
00:36:58Hendon.
00:37:00I don't know.
00:37:30I don't know.
00:37:32It's the wrong little boat.
00:37:34It's the wrong little boat.
00:37:38David.
00:37:50Ruth.
00:37:52David.
00:37:54Goodbye.
00:37:58Shalom.
00:38:02The keys, Rabbi,
00:38:04if you don't mind.
00:38:06What's all this?
00:38:16What's all this?
00:38:26What's all this?
00:38:30He died 13 years ago.
00:38:36He died 13 years ago.
00:38:46He died 14 years ago.
00:38:50He died 14 years ago.
00:38:56And he died 14 years ago.
00:41:28Where are you?
00:42:27What do you want?
00:42:53Will you see her?
00:42:54No.
00:42:56What do you want for yourself?
00:42:57You want to be judged?
00:43:05You want to be judged, don't you?
00:43:07Sit down.
00:43:17Sit down.
00:43:19Sit down.
00:43:19Sit up.
00:43:31All right.
00:43:43All right.
00:43:47Right.
00:43:48Okay, this is how it will work.
00:44:02I'll teach you Torah.
00:44:03I'll teach you Torah, you'll have to do everything that I say.
00:44:09It won't be easy.
00:44:11First things first, Mum can't know that I'm here.
00:44:17No.
00:44:18Not in any way.
00:44:24You can't come into my bedroom unless you're asked.
00:44:27All right?
00:44:30Okay.
00:44:31I've met someone.
00:44:41I've met someone.
00:44:42Sorry?
00:44:43a man.
00:44:44He's really nice.
00:44:56What does he do, this man?
00:44:57Can I ask?
00:44:58He's a teacher.
00:44:59A scholar.
00:45:00What's his name?
00:45:01David.
00:45:02Good name.
00:45:03Do I know his family?
00:45:05No.
00:45:06I don't think you do.
00:45:07This makes me very happy.
00:45:35He's a teacher.
00:45:37He's JULiant.
00:45:39I don't know.
00:45:40A parent's father.
00:45:42This makes me very happy.
00:45:47I don't know my dad.
00:45:49Because I'm 0.5 cm.
00:45:54He's a teacher.
00:45:55He's a teacher.
00:45:58He's a teacher.
00:45:59Both is a teacher.
00:46:02I can't.
00:46:20Of course you can.
00:46:22I can't, I feel sick.
00:46:32You always feel sick, don't be ridiculous.
00:46:34For God's sake.
00:46:47I can't.
00:46:57I can't.
00:46:59I can't.
00:47:07I can't.
00:47:17I can't.
00:47:19And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be in her
00:47:27impurity seven days.
00:47:29And whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the evening, and shall wash their clothes,
00:47:36and immerse themselves in water.
00:47:39But if they wash them not, nor bathe their flesh, then they shall bear their iniquity.
00:47:49Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy
00:47:57is cruel as the grave.
00:47:59And the flashes thereof are flashes of fire, a very flame of the Lord.
00:48:07O that you were like my brother, who sucked at the breast of my mother.
00:48:12I would lead you, bringing you into my mother's house, where you would instruct me.
00:48:22And if you walk contrary to me, I will also walk contrary unto you, in fury.
00:48:29And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.
00:48:36And I will destroy your high places, and cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols.
00:48:43My soul shall abhor you.
00:48:46And as for them that are left of you, I will send a faintness into their heart.
00:48:51And the sound of a driven leaf shall chase them, and they shall flee, as one fleeth the
00:48:56sword, and they shall fall, when none pursueth.
00:49:07And the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.
00:49:10Yeah.
00:49:11It's like the punishments are more interesting than the rewards.
00:49:17Baruch at Adhanahu alayhi alayhi alayhi melech alam, and metilach e'am menhaaretz.
00:49:47I don't know.
00:50:17I don't know.
00:50:47I don't know.
00:51:17I don't know.
00:51:47I don't know.
00:52:17I don't know.
00:52:47I don't know.
00:53:17I don't know.
00:53:47I don't know.
00:54:17I don't know.
00:54:47I don't know.
00:54:48I don't know.
00:54:49I don't know.
00:54:51I don't know.
00:54:53I don't know.
00:54:55I don't know.
00:54:56I don't know.
00:54:57I don't know.
00:54:58I don't know.
00:54:59I don't know.
00:55:00I don't know.
00:55:01I don't know.
00:55:02I don't know.
00:55:03I don't know.
00:55:08I don't know.
00:55:09I don't know.
00:55:10I don't know.
00:55:11I don't know.
00:55:12I don't know,
00:55:14I don't know.
00:55:21I think you're not...
00:55:22I don't know.
00:55:23I don't know.
00:55:25I don't know.
00:55:26I don't know.
00:55:27He's quite commanding, you know, except he tries to meet, but sometimes he can't quite manage it.
00:55:45Sounds like he's just a bit confused.
00:55:49You have to lead him. Gently. Don't let him know he's being led.
00:56:09And the other David. Have you managed, have you managed to speak to him again?
00:56:21Yes, he's coming too.
00:56:25Are you sure?
00:56:29Yes, Mum. He will come.
00:56:39No. I won't teach you anymore.
00:57:10No.
00:57:11No.
01:05:43I told you.
01:05:49I told you not to come in here.
01:05:50I told you not to come in here.
01:06:00We were interrupted.
01:06:30Just do it.
01:06:32Just do it.
01:06:36Just do it.
01:06:44Just do it.
01:06:46Just do it.
01:06:48Just do it.
01:06:49Come on, come on, come on, come on.
01:07:18Oh, come on, come on, come on.
01:07:20Oh, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on.
01:07:22call, come on, come on, come on.
01:07:23Oh, my God.
01:07:47Mama, shall I call the doctor?
01:07:54And all of my book and the others.
01:07:57Oh, my God.
01:07:58Oh, my God.
01:07:59Oh, my God.
01:08:00Oh, my God.
01:08:01Oh, my God.
01:08:02Oh, my God.
01:08:03Oh, my God.
01:08:04Oh, my God.
01:08:05Oh, my God.
01:08:07Oh, my God.
01:08:08Oh, my God.
01:08:10Oh, my God.
01:08:14Oh, my God.
01:08:19Does she need me now?
01:08:24Not now.
01:08:26Will you say some to Hylian? Will you join us?
01:08:51Poor girl.
01:08:54This family suffers.
01:08:57It has always suffered.
01:09:01None of this would ever have happened if the father hadn't disgraced himself.
01:09:05Sure, sure, sure.
01:09:08Did that Mumser ever send a single word?
01:09:11They're better off without him. We all are.
01:09:13That's enough, I said.
01:09:18What?
01:09:21Say that again?
01:09:24What did you say, you fucking bastard?
01:09:27Nothing.
01:09:29Nothing.
01:09:31Rabbi?
01:09:32Enough.
01:09:35Tell me.
01:09:36Why?
01:09:37You can't have to know like this.
01:09:40You tell me.
01:09:46Your father...
01:09:48Your father...
01:09:50Your father is not dead.
01:09:53At least not that we know of.
01:09:55No.
01:09:56It was not a crash.
01:09:58David, we...
01:10:02Your mother wanted to protect you.
01:10:04She felt ashamed.
01:10:05It's not a shame.
01:10:13Get out of my house.
01:10:17Out!
01:10:18No.
01:10:19Don't...
01:10:21Get out of my house.
01:10:25No, no, no.
01:10:26Just...
01:10:28Don't!
01:10:30Don't!
01:10:31...
01:10:32What?
01:10:35I knew you would come
01:11:05I knew you would come
01:11:35I don't know.
01:12:05I don't know.
01:12:35I don't know.
01:12:37Oh, no.
01:12:39Oh, no.
01:12:41No!
01:12:43No!
01:12:45No!
01:12:51No!
01:12:53No!
01:12:55No!
01:12:57No!
01:12:59No!
01:13:01No!
01:13:03No!
01:13:05No!
01:13:07No!
01:13:09No!
01:13:11No!
01:13:13No!
01:13:15No!
01:13:17No!
01:13:19No!
01:13:21No!
01:13:23No!
01:13:25No!
01:13:27No!
01:13:29No!
01:13:31No!
01:13:33No!
01:13:35No!
01:13:37No!
01:13:39No!
01:13:41No!
01:13:43No!
01:13:45No!
01:13:47No!
01:13:49No!
01:13:51No!
01:13:53No!
01:13:55No!
01:13:57No!
01:13:59No!
01:14:01No!
01:14:03No!
01:14:05No!
01:14:07No!
01:14:09No!
01:14:11No!
01:14:13No!
01:14:15No!
01:14:17No!
01:14:19No!
01:14:21No!
01:14:23No!
01:14:25No!
01:14:27No!
01:14:29No!
01:14:31No!
01:14:33Who is your father?
01:14:35A man who is infinitely wise.
01:14:41Who is your father?
01:14:43A man of infinite compassion.
01:14:47Who is your father?
01:15:03No!