“Eyes Wide Open” by Haim Tabakman in Un Certain Regard

Selected to participate in the Cinéfondation program in 2003 and 2004 with short films Free Loaders and The Poet’s Home, Haim Tabakman is presenting his first feature film in Un Certain Regard, Eyes Wide Open, which is also in the running for the Caméra d’Or award. The Israeli director delved into the religious world and touched upon the taboo of homosexuality. Aaron, a respectable butcher in Jerusalem’s community, is married to Rivka and is a dedicated father of four children. One day, he meets Ezri, a handsome twenty-two year old student, and soon falls in love with him…

“Some people from the religious world helped us, but no one wanted to be credited or thanked as advisers…There is a really strong negative energy associated with this subject. If you want to be part of the orthodox world, there is no way to settle this conflict . If you are inside this world, homosexuality is not accepted. Aaron wants to stay in the religious circle and be authentic. He has to pay the price: losing his religious frame of reference to be himself. Most of the time, religious people do not choose to fight. They live a double life, giving up their authenticity.”