La Petite Jerusalem (Little Jerusalem)

Director: Karin Albou, 2005, France, 94 minutes, in French, Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles Guest Speaker: Danielle L. Thomas Easton A sensitive, affecting drama about Tunisian-born Orthodox Jews living in a Parisian quarter called "La Petite Jerusalem" (located right next door to the Arab/Muslim section), the film centers on two sisters trapped in a conflict between old religious ties and modern realities. Mathilda, the married sister, is bound by old sexual customs that leave her frightened and frigid. Eighteen-year-old Laura is torn between her orthodox upbringing and her philosophy studies that open up a whole new world to her. Besieged by blossoming sexual desires, Laura falls for a young Muslim, a powerfully taboo relationship in her and hi