Movie ID request: infertility in Judaism

January 14, 2019 6:27 PM

I'm trying recall the title of a film from around 2006-8 about a devout Jewish couple who struggle with infertility and community expectations. Ring any bells?

Around ten years ago I read the synopsis of a recently (at the time) released film whose title has since escaped me. Can MeFi help?

The story focuses on a very devout Orthodox Jewish couple who are unable to have children. Under rule of doctrine - and presuming the wife is the barren party - their community expects the husband to marry someone else to fulfil his procreative duty. The couple are however deeply in love and don't wish to be parted, thus the central dilemma.

I'd still love to see this film, can anyone point me in the right direction?

posted by freya_lamb to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Best answer: This sounds like Kadosh, directed by Amos Gitai. Review here.
posted by the duck by the oboe at 6:41 PM on January 14, 2019 [1 favorite]

This is kind of similar to Ushpizin as it does relate to an orthodox couple struggling with fertility, however, they were not being encouraged to separate. I only bring it up on the small chance that you also read about this one and combined similar stories in your mind. However the suggestion above for Kadosh looks like it could be a match for what you were thinking of..
posted by acidnova at 7:07 PM on January 14, 2019

I recall something like this, was Canadian short film likely set in Montreal, however Google turns up nothing
posted by canoehead at 8:35 PM on January 14, 2019

Response by poster: the duck by the oboe has it - Kadosh! Brilliant. Thanks all.
posted by freya_lamb at 11:54 PM on January 14, 2019

Based on the plot summary, you might be interested in an Iranian film that sounds very similar. Title is Leila and it's from the '90s.
posted by Morpeth at 12:57 PM on January 15, 2019