Eyes Wide Open 2010

In the provocative Israeli film Eyes Wide Open (Einaym Pkuhot), which made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, the complexities of homosexuality within the Orthodox community are explored through a gripping narrative. The story follows Aaron Fleishman, portrayed by Zohar Shtrauss, a father of four who inherits the family kosher butcher shop after his father’s death. His meticulously observed world is abruptly changed with the arrival of Ezri, a young Yeshiva student played by Ran Danker.

As Aaron and Ezri grow closer, Aaron finds himself alienated from his community, grappling with the weight of societal expectations. A pivotal moment arises when he faces confrontation from Rabbi Vaisben, portrayed by Tzahi Grad, where Aaron declares, “I was dead before meeting Ezri.” This statement underscores the depths of his despair and the fierce judgment he faces.

The film vividly portrays the rampant social control that turns violent and ugly, particularly illustrated in Ezri’s forced departure from the community. Set against the backdrop of a dark, rainy winter in Jerusalem, the relentless downpour becomes a potent metaphor for the purification rituals and the suffocating pressure to conform within the Orthodox society. With its strong performances and impactful themes, Eyes Wide Open leaves a poignant message in a country grappling with the evolving power of the Orthodox Jewish community.