JIFF: Where Life Begins

Every summer the Zelniks, an ultra-Orthodox French family, come to a farm in Southern Italy to carry out a sacred mission: harvesting etrogs (citrons).

Every summer the Zelniks, an ultra-Orthodox French family, come to a farm in Southern Italy to carry out a sacred mission: harvesting etrogs (citrons). Hosting the large family on his estate is Elio, an easy-going, non-devout Catholic who has been lost since his wife left him. In this balmy setting, Elio meets the intense and quick-tempered rabbi’s daughter Esther, who is trapped between affection for her family and the desire to emancipate herself from her Orthodox life. Through their growing relationship, Esther will understand the importance of finding her own path.  

Rating

E

Language

Italian, French (English subtitles)

Cast

Lou de Laâge, Riccardo Scamarcio, Pierre-Henry Salfati,

Director

Stéphane Freiss