Say Amen
Say Amen | |
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Directed by | David Deri |
Release date |
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Running time | 65 minutes |
Country | Israel |
Language | Hebrew |
Say Amen (
Summary
David is the youngest of ten siblings in a close-knit Moroccan-Israeli family. While the other nine have all extended the family tree by marrying and having children, David, at twenty-nine, still hasn't brought home a girlfriend, which inspires his family's constant nagging. The confessional film follows David as he takes small steps, gathering courage, and hoping to receive acceptance from his family.
Throughout the film the importance of marriage is made clear. In one scene David's mother is shown lighting candles as she prays for her children in a hushed tone: "save them from bombing accidents; let them all marry and have children."
Set in
David is brave enough to share his struggles, but, for the most part, he's still too shy to step out from behind the camera. His family is irritated by his constant filming, but it works to the documentary's advantage. By turning the lens away from himself, David completely avoids self-indulgent emotionality, maintaining a sense of objectivity. This technique also allows the viewer to see the world through his eyes. The frustrated looks, the sad sighs, and the lectures are all addressed to the camera, making it easy for the viewer to imagine how David must feel.
Say Amen impresses the importance of family. In between their serious conversations, the documentary captures ordinary moments the Deri family spends together. The entire Dari extended family gathers to celebrate a grandchild's birthday, David dances with his mother in the kitchen, and little kids climb all over the couch where their mother is sitting and yawning. The comfort is apparent, making David's isolating secret all the more painful.[2]
See also
- Homophobia
- Homosexuality and Judaism
Documentaries featuring Orthodox Jews and LGBT themes
References
- ^ "Bible Study: The Relevant Scriptures on Homosexuality". Chicago Tribune. 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
- ^ "Say Amen!". IMDb. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
External links
- Leeds International Film Festival Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Cork Film Festival Archived 2007-08-08 at the Wayback Machine
- Inside Out Film Festival
- Say Amen at IMDb