La Petite Jerusalem - movie reviews and information

'La Petite Jerusalem': Contrived story in an interesting place
by Hap Erstein

For a first-time feature writer-director, Karin Albou certainly tackles big topics. By focusing on the inhabitants of a small, crowded apartment in an Orthodox Jewish suburb of Paris, known as Little Jerusalem (La Petite Jerusalem), she manages to examine how religion, secular philosophy and sexual desire intersect and conflict. The film intrigues, even if it never builds to the dramatic impact its subject matter seems to promise. Read the full review

TO SUM UP
In the suburban Paris neighborhood called "Little Jerusalem," 18-year-old Laura tries to reconcile her conflicting feelings. Living with her extended family, she's unable to escape her Orthodox upbringing. But her immersion in Western philosophy has helped her form a strong personal view of the world, to engage contradictory lifestyles and turbulent intimate relationships.

FILM FACTS ...

Kino International

'La Petite Jerusalem'

Director: Karin Albou
Starring: Fanny Valette, Elsa Zylberstein, Bruno Todeschini, Hedi Tillette de Clermont-Tonnerre, Sonia Tahar
Run time: 96 minutes
Release date: Jan. 27, 2006
Rating: Not rated. Contains non-erotic nudity.
Language: French, Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles.
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