"La Petite Jerusalem" is a sensitive film about religion, intolerance, philosophy and repressed desire. The story exposes how religion may affect relationships through the dilemma of two sisters raised a conservative community. The older one misunderstands and is confused about the limits of intimacy of a couple, and the younger feels how prejudice and intolerance may affect relationships even of those that are less religious or more open-minded. The magnificent performances are very realistic and Fanny Valette is an extremely beautiful woman. My vote is seven.

god eludes philosophy god eludes reason...

This was a very good movie. It felt real as if we were not looking at actors. The ending left a sense of oppourtunity for the main character Laura. It was up to the viewers to decide what will happen to Laura. It was a movie that dealt with identity and choice.

A quiet, thoughtful examination of sexuality and freedom within a Jewish enclave in Paris. Two sisters, who live together and work at the same day care facility, explore what it means to be modest according to their religious traditions, and still express their sexual natures. The elder, Mathilde (Elsa Zylberstein), comes at her dilemma from within the bonds of marriage, to a man who has been unfaithful, and the younger, Laura, as a teenager just beginning to struggle with her urges. Beautifully filmed, with a great deal of tenderness, this proved a most satisfying film. The actors were chosen for their physical and emotional qualities, not because of their religious affiliation, and much of the success can be attributed to that. The girls' mother is played by Sonia Tahar, a non-actor, who was a Jewish mother who answered an open casting call, and was quite a force of nature. At times, this viewer found her character to be incredibly superstitious and overbearing, but the story needed a strong matriarchal anchor, and she amply provided that.

Another Wonderful movie by Karin Albou.. this is the second movie by her I watch .. and I adored her more.. she's really one the directors who knows how to attract your attention.. every camera moving in or out.. every music or song.. every eye movement. .. she just knows how to do it perfectly.. Dealing with the complexity of religion, love and philosphy this movie has become one of my favourites.. it shows the relationship inside a religious jewish family living in france but originating from tunisia.. a Young beautiful girl "Fanny Valette" .. is really beautiful .. and is weired between Kant's philosphy, her strict family and her love... This movie is absolutely recommended for everyone who likes these themes.

"passion is a delusion which causes loss of freedom !" a good story...although the elder daughter and mother's relation did not seem real at all...well i don't know about jewish families, but in this family nothing seemed real...

sedih, tapi aku suka aktrisnya

good movie but has a lot of nudity so be warned

Good, but for me the awkward prolonged sex scenes detracted from the story. Plus I was sitting right next to my French professor during them....

Boring at first, and slow-moving, but it gets better.

Quite impressive for a feature-length debut. There could have been more development with the Tunisian lover, and some of Laura's dialogue seemed a bit 2-dimensional in terms of the philosophical content... although many undergrad philosophy parrots come off like that. The depiction of Jewish life through the various high holidays was realistic and poignant, as well as the G-d Wrestling that's part and parcel to Covenance.

The cinematography was fascinating and the music was suitable engaging, but what little dialogue there was almost seemed to detract from the film's magic. It's the story of a young, second-generation Tunisian-French, Orthodox Jewish woman who's struggling to keep her faith and family ties while pursuing studies in philosophy. Though it does address important issues of anti-Semitism in France, it's more about how sex and misunderstanding scripture can both fuck up a relationship.

What in life constrains us? What in life makes us free? If I walk at the same time every evening will it help keep all of the unbearable yearnings at bay? The ideas of this movie I found intriguing to think about.

A beautiful film. A bit cliche in the way the main character reacts to her transformation, but otherwise a wonderful film.

In fact I saw it today. It's just an advice: if you like philosophy you have to see it! It's a very deeply movie, about philosophy, religion and love. The actors are very good and the camera is another carachter. Yes, because the camera walks, dance, and follows each movement of the personages, theirs eyes, hands. It shows a Paris that we don?t know and showed to me a little about a religion that I also don?t know so good. I liked it a lot!

Interesting & sexy, an uncommon combination. Story was just what u expected tho.

This holds up to multiple watchings, particularly worthwhile as a film about text, image, city.

Very moving. Storyline that really resonates with people no matter what their religion.

Tres bien. On ne peux pas voir ce film sans penser aux problemes du monde a cause de la religion. Surtout pour les amoureux.

Tres bon film ! Je ne m'attendais a rien de particulier; ce film fait profondement reflechir sur l'influence qu'a la religion sur nos comportements personnels, sur nos relations avec les autres, sur notre recherche identitaire. Un film a voir !