Aaron, an ultra-Orthodox butcher, is happily married with four children and a loving wife. But when he hires a handsome but homeless young man, Ezri, as an apprentice, he finds there to be something more between them than just a friendship.
Eyes Wide Open
A Film by: Haim Tabakman
(Israel, 2009, 91 min, Hebrew, English subtitles, Cast: Ran Danker, Zohar Shtrauss, Tinkerbell,Tzhai Grad, Isaac Sharry).
Aaron, an ultra-Orthodox butcher, is happily married with four children and a loving wife. But when he hires a handsome but homeless young man, Ezri, as an apprentice, he finds there to be something more between them than just a friendship. As Aaron and Ezri begin a sexual relationship, Aaron finds himself torn between his wife, his community, his God, and his intense feelings for his apprentice. And the forces opposing his relationship continue to grow.
FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS
• Cannes 2009 - Official Selection - Un Certain Regard
• Toronto 2009 - Contemporary World Cinema
• Best Film – Ghent International Film Festival
• Best Actor (Zohar Shtrauss) – Jerusalem Film Festival
• John Schlesinger Award – Palm Springs International Film Festival
• "Eros and Psyche" main prize - Medfilm Festival
• FILMARCHIV Austria 2020
From the Press
TOP 10 Best Israeli Gay Movies (The Gay UK / July 23, 2014)
Passion and Identity Crisis in a Pious Community (New York Times